tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9517197831446078472024-02-18T20:33:01.869-07:00This Is The YearXazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.comBlogger575125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-74757577165425305762017-01-08T16:33:00.001-07:002017-01-10T18:56:07.321-07:00The Girl With The Headache - updateIt's been almost a year since I first <a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-girl-with-headache-part-1.html" target="_blank">posted here</a> about Ambria and her struggle with <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-concussion-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20032705" target="_blank">Post Concussion Syndrome</a>. At that time Ambria had already been suffering for a year, and I was at the end of my rope. To quickly recap, Ambria came home from a church dance with a debilitating Migraine one day in late February of 2015. And it didn't go away. For months. She couldn't go to school, or church, or out with friends. Life sort of came to a stand still for her. She spent most of her days sleeping, and when she wasn't asleep she was like a zombie and in so much pain. She was eventually diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome. She'd suffered multiple sports concussions from playing soccer. She was just supposed to try and treat the pain while waiting for her brain to start working properly again. We had many doctor's visits, tests, dietary changes, different perscriptions, so many things to try and help with the pain. Nothing helped. Months kept passing without us being able to find a way to help her. Those months stretched into a year and I felt like I was losing my mind.<br />
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As a mom, watching your child in pain is unbearable. And on top of her physical suffering, she was in so much emotional pain. Not only are depression and anxiety some of the symptoms of brain injury, but she was also just lonely and heartbroken at all of the things she'd lost. Like the ability to go to school and church and be with her peers and friends. She wasn't physically able to go and hang out with friends and interact socially the way she had been used to. She was just so isolated and discouraged. To this day I am so thankful for a <a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-boy-who-loved-girl-with-headache.html" target="_blank">best friend</a> who stayed by her side through all of it and did everything he could to try and help her feel less lonely and left out.<br />
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As I said, I was losing hope. I spent more time on my knees praying during those months than I have the whole rest of my life combined. One day I had the thought to re-visit a <a href="http://www.ksl.com/?sid=36830294&nid=1012" target="_blank">news article</a> my brother had mentioned several months into Ambria's struggles. It was about a <a href="http://www.cognitivefxusa.com/" target="_blank">clinic</a> that treated people who suffered from concussions. I remember that the first time I looked at it, it didn't seem to be very applicable to Ambria's situation. But something told me I needed to go back and find that article and read it again. It said all the same things I remembered, but being further into Ambria's condition and the things I had learned about over the past year, it seemed like there might be more there that could possibly relate to Ambria and her condition. So I went further and visited the website of the clinic (<a href="http://www.cognitivefxusa.com/" target="_blank">Cognitive FX</a>). Her biggest symptom was the horrible Migraine pain. But she also was suffering from the emotional and cognitive symptoms mentioned on their website. I decided to contact the clinic and ask specifically about Migraine. I received an immediate response with some video links to patient testimonials of female teen athletes who had come to the clinic for treatment. As I watched the videos, the tears just flowed. When I listened to the girls tell about their injuries and their symptoms, it was as if Ambria were speaking. And then the mothers. When those moms spoke I wanted to reach into the computer and hug them. They WERE me. The things they spoke of feeling while watching their daughters suffer, and all that they had seen them lose or have to give up. I knew this was the next step to try and find some help for Ambria. I went to Jeremy and we talked about it, and prayed about it - and I'm not exactly sure how strongly he felt that we needed to do this, but at this point he was ready to try anything. "Let's do it." he said. He told me that we'd figure out how to pay for it somehow, and to just make the appointment. It took some convincing for Ambria. She was tired of trying things that didn't work. The treatment wasn't going to be pleasant. And being Ambria, she worried about the financial burden on our family. She just didn't want to go to all that expense, and through the pain of the treatment just to have it not work. Of course, we didn't need her approval to move forward, but we wanted her to go into it with a good attitude and give it her all. Again her best friend was there to help convince her that this was worth a try. And not just worth a try, but something that was worth putting our hope into.<br />
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We went to the consultation and were told that Ambria was a perfect candidate for this treatment. We got it all set up, and were able to get her started much sooner than expected. Which was good - but gave us much less time to try and save up the money. We weren't insured at the time, and the treatment is currently not covered by insurance anyway. We have the most amazing people around us. One friend suggested we do a fundraiser auction like she and her husband had done to help pay for adoption expenses. She offered to do whatever we needed help with. We had only a short time to throw it together. But so many amazing people (family, friends and friends of friends) came forward to offer services or products for the auction. Several local businesses that we wrote to sent us items to auction off as well. We had such good and generous people - some who knew and loved us, and some who just heard about it from friends -who bid on the auction items and it was a huge success. And several people just loved us and quietly slipped us a donation to help pay for her treatment. We were overwhelmed with the love and generosity of so many people who wanted to see Ambria get some relief from her pain. With this, added to what we were able to set aside from our own income, we were able to pay for her treatment. There are no words to express our gratitude. <br />
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Ambria went through the week-long treatment. I'm going to do a follow up post with specific details of what the treatment entailed, because there's too much and it deserves a separate post of it's own. Treatment was difficult, as expected. And there were moments where the tears fell, and she just wanted to give up and go home. But she's a fighter, and she worked hard and did everything they asked of her.<br />
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By the end of the week, her follow up tests showed significant improvement from the tests performed before treatment. And she was noticing significant improvement in her cognitive and emotional symptoms. The headaches were still a problem, but she felt that there was an improvement in how quickly she was able to bring the pain under control. And there was a significant improvement in her ability to tolerate car rides without her pain getting too unbearable. It was a start. She said that she definitely felt that the treatment had helped.<br />
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We returned home and she was able to go to almost all her classes every day for the final 6 weeks of school. Before treatment she was only able to make it to 1, sometimes 2 classes, and only a few times a week. She had been sent home from the clinic with exercises she needed to continue on her own, as well as returning to the clinic once a week for some follow up on working out her headaches with neuromuscular therapy for about a month after. As weeks went by, and summer came, she kept improving and improving. We were still very anxious for what kind of toll high school would take on her condition. But fall came, she started school, and although it was a struggle at times, and she had a couple setbacks with pain and cognitive issues, she pushed through, continued her at home exercises and improved week by week.<br />
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She is not able to play soccer anymore, or any sport that has a high risk of head injury. This was something she did NOT overcome with a very good attitude. But she grudgingly gave tennis a try. She has grown to LOVE it and can't wait for warm weather to return so she can get back on the courts. Tennis and being out in the sun was hard on her at first. But she improved each week and is steadily gaining her athleticism back, as well as building up more of a tolerance for sunlight.<br />
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She went in for treatment just under 9 months ago. A year ago she couldn't step out in the sun at all without developing an instant migraine. She had to wear dark, ugly (her description) wrap around sunglasses and the sun STILL gave her a headache. She couldn't do anything physically exerting without it triggering a migraine, and car rides were torture. Today she has played a full season of tennis on her high school tennis team (with plans to take private lessons from her coach in the spring), she has been able to return to wearing her cute, stylish aviator sunglasses and even occasionally forgets them and is able to survive the sunshine for a short time without glasses. And, if the driver is aware of her situation and drives carefully, she is able to tolerate most car rides without getting a headache. And her personality. MY DAUGHTER IS BACK! The funny, spunky, sassy, acting crazy no matter who's watching, girl I used to know is back. Her laughter fills the house again. Her antics make us roll our eyes but secretly our hearts are bursting with joy. She is back to being a light to her friends and peers in school. Her confidence and outgoing nature is returning and we are SO BLESSED.<br />
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As I mentioned previously, our gratitude runs deep. For our wonderful supportive and loving family. For everyone who loved us, prayed for us, helped with the financial burden of her treatment, checked in on Ambria or helped in any of a million other little ways. I also can't express enough how thankful we are for the wonderful people at our amazing school who did everything to help her over the better part of 2 school years to be able to be successful in her classes and keep up with her grades and be able to earn all her credits and move on to high school this year. There is no way she would be where she is in school with all the time she missed, if it weren't for these devoted and amazing people. We're forever indebted to the wonderful team at <a href="http://www.cognitivefxusa.com/" target="_blank">Cognitive FX</a> who treated Ambria, made us feel like family, and helped her heal in all ways.<br />
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Most importantly I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who held us up through all of it. There is no way we could have faced this without our faith, and knowing we could turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer for strength and guidance. I KNOW we saw many tender mercies, priesthood blessings fulfilled, and were part of a beautiful miracle of healing because of the love of our Heavenly Father. I am grateful for this trial, the people it brought into our lives, and the ways we were able to learn and grow. <br />
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First day of High School</div>
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Little sis was her biggest fan.</div>
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Receiving the coveted "Princess of Poison" award - player who won the most rounds of Poison (one of their drill games they did each practice).</div>
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Photo shoot for her brother for his missionary application.</div>
<br />Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-43457262266989154702017-01-04T12:00:00.000-07:002017-01-04T12:00:43.489-07:00Called To ServeDetroit, Michigan. That's where my boy will be serving for the next 2 years. Perhaps he won't be right in the city the whole time. Perhaps he won't spend any time in the city at all. But the Michigan, Detroit mission is where he has been called to serve.<br />
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I don't think it has completely hit me yet. It's not really possible to comprehend the reality of Kaden being 1,600 miles away for 2 solid years with only written contact except for the 2 times a year he will be able to call/skype home. Like, I literally can't imagine what it will be like or how it will feel. I'm sure it's going to be hard at times, that I'll miss him like crazy and just want to hear his voice. We've always had a close relationship and we talk about anything and everything. It's hard to imagine only speaking in person 4 times over the next two years.<br />
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But there is absolutely no place I'd rather have him be, and nothing else I'd rather have him doing than serving the Lord as a <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/topic/missionary-program" target="_blank">missionary</a> for <a href="https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng" target="_blank">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a>. When I think of the people of Michigan that he will meet, and love and serve, I'm overwhelmed with love for people I don't yet even know. Because there are people there who need my son. Who need the love and service he will give them. Who need to hear his testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and who need to hear the gospel message he is going to share. I'm so proud of my son for his decision to serve, and grateful to be blessed with such a good young man to call my son.<br />
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Here is the beginning of a blog post I started when Kaden graduated last June:<br />
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"And just like that. It's over.<br />
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High school, I mean. For my son. I am officially the mother of a graduate. It's kind of surreal. It's like he was this tiny little brown bundle of curious energy, and I blinked, and now I have this funny, talkative, SMART, kind young man on the verge of taking life by the horns and doing something amazing.<br />
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I honestly do not know how he got to be so good. He is good to the core."<br />
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I never finished that post. But I still remember vividly the emotions I was going through at the time. The sentimentality. The pride. The overwhelming sense of not being able to slow down time and have my boy be a kid for just a little longer. And now here we are, 6 months later and I have a young man ready to travel halfway across the country, and live among people he's never met, and share the gospel with all who will hear him. How did this mom get so lucky?<br />
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I feel so many different emotions. I feel a little bit of apprehension - he's never been away from home for longer than a week. But I also feel comfort in knowing that he'll be in the best hands. He'll be looked over by a loving mission president, and his wife, and he'll be surrounded by other young people who are out doing the same thing he is doing. What an amazing support system I have to help me take care of my son while he is away from home. Above all, I know he is in the Lord's hands, and that is the most comforting of all.<br />
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I feel more than a little bit of excitement. I've started learning about the history of Detroit, and the state of Michigan, as well as the current social and economical environment. It's so different from the way Kaden has grown up, and what an amazing opportunity for him to learn and grow, as he serves the people of Michigan. I can't wait for the experiences he's going to have, and how he'll grow as a person and in the gospel.<br />
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I feel completely overwhelmed. 34 days. That's how much time I have to get everything he needs, and have him ready to go! He enters the Provo MTC on February 8. ACK!!<br />
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I feel proud. I'm proud of Kaden for his desire to serve the Lord. And for his willingness to set aside his own ambitions for 2 years, and dedicate all his time and energy to this service. Again I ask, how did this mom get so lucky?<br />
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Most of all I feel grateful. I feel grateful to know of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To understand his plan of happiness, and be a part of something so joyous. I'm grateful for all who have influenced Kaden's life for good over these past 18 years. For family, teachers, leaders and friends. All have played and continue to play such an important role in helping Kaden become who he is meant to be. I'm thankful for my Savior and his atoning sacrifice, and what it means for me and my family on an eternal scale. And I'm just grateful for the love and support from those around me as we get ready for this grand new adventure in our family!<br />
<br />Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-20030709625224589212017-01-03T14:55:00.003-07:002017-01-03T14:55:32.791-07:00Happy New YearWell here we are. 2016 is a thing of the past. And what a year it was for our family. In 2016, we finally saw some light at the end of the tunnel for Ambria's suffering with Post Concussion Syndrome. MaiLee became a teenager and Brielle entered double digits. Hollyn changed from toddler to little kid and her spunk keeps growing as well! And Kaden - Kaden leaves in 35 days to serve the people of Michigan for 2 years. He will be serving in the Michigan, Detroit mission and we are excited/proud/sad to see him go/excited to see what he accomplishes, and every other emotion in between!<br />
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I feel so ready to let go of 2016. I think it holds the record for most tears shed by this mom! Yet when I look back on everything that has gone on this past year, I see that I have so very much to be grateful for. And I am ready to find the JOY in 2017.<br />
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I'm not sure why I've had such a hard time finding it. The joy in life, I mean. Just tired and overwhelmed, I guess. But for this new year, my single resolution for the year is to come closer to Christ. To know Him better. To study His life, learn about and understand Him better. I know in doing this, I will be able to find joy. Joy for myself, and for my family. Joy in the gospel. Joy in motherhood. Joy in being a wife and homemaker. Joy in being a friend and neighbor. It all comes back to drawing closer to my Savior, and becoming more like him. Treating others as he would. Seeing my children, and everyone around me through the the Savior's eyes and understanding who they are as children of God.<br />
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I hope to share more of my journey this year on the blog. I really miss how cathartic it can be! It's just so hard to find the time! But I'm going to try to squeeze in more regular posts. I also have a great update on Ambria and her health, as well as more fun adventures with my other kiddos. <br />
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I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is ready for an amazing and JOYful new year!<br />
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<br />Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-34393316049855165102016-03-11T09:05:00.001-07:002016-03-11T10:07:25.011-07:00Friday Five - Spring Fever, Best Friends, Soccer and moreI'm joining Friday Five with Emmy. Five thoughts and five pictures.<br />
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<b>Five Thoughts:</b><br />
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1 - I dug out my flip flops and have been wearing them for a couple of days. I'm SO over winter and ready for spring and the outdoors.<br />
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2 - Another spring thing I'm looking forward to is Spring Break. I cannot wait for those days of sleeping in and not having to get my kids to school!<br />
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3 - What I REALLY can't wait for is Summer Break! Camping, swimming, warm nights, longer days - it all sounds so heavenly right now!<br />
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4 - Ambria has a consultation today that could change everything. I'm extremely nervous. I don't want to get my hopes up - but I'm afraid it's too late. I will be crushed if they can't help her.<br />
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5 - Soccer season is upon us. And although I won't have any kids playing this year - we're super excited to watch our RSL boys have an awesome season!<br />
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<b>Five Pictures:</b><br />
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My heart broke into a million pieces when this boy was stolen to go start a new team in NYC. But my faith in humanity was restored when he came back home this season. I cannot <i>wait</i> to see him back playing in the RIGHT colors. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA15apJTRQ1ZkG4eFWwxmwjgS5SfJTN_J6GiT2ZDve3tR5Zt-H3WlniWaqDXB2REr-bAfKqdUGxL7CVPNdfelF3ySfdyAcmjbv71k-Mf0EwhZ7AYpHep6t0iMYVIBEeUzanWBshXLlJjw/s1600/12751984_10208869355397178_801447074_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA15apJTRQ1ZkG4eFWwxmwjgS5SfJTN_J6GiT2ZDve3tR5Zt-H3WlniWaqDXB2REr-bAfKqdUGxL7CVPNdfelF3ySfdyAcmjbv71k-Mf0EwhZ7AYpHep6t0iMYVIBEeUzanWBshXLlJjw/s400/12751984_10208869355397178_801447074_o.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
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Just because Ambria isn't allowed to snuggle up under a blanket with a cute boy to watch TV, that doesn't stop Hollyn from making herself nice and comfy with HER <a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-boy-who-loved-girl-with-headache.html" target="_blank">best friend</a>. ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRIYujdh9-BRmaYunZWeF9ZwWpUzQNgYtXluyUPDEBc-tc1w1ezazuVJB5ziaRpuDT4cUa2oxDzblAeWfr0nQWN-NkQs9nKuJgnsXy1iY4W7LepJ2nNG2GJpo_XwqhLFLneJxb0rPYWk/s1600/12822982_10208869303355877_1446653074_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRIYujdh9-BRmaYunZWeF9ZwWpUzQNgYtXluyUPDEBc-tc1w1ezazuVJB5ziaRpuDT4cUa2oxDzblAeWfr0nQWN-NkQs9nKuJgnsXy1iY4W7LepJ2nNG2GJpo_XwqhLFLneJxb0rPYWk/s400/12822982_10208869303355877_1446653074_o.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Mr. H from our school. For the past 8 years that I've known him, I have only EVER seen him wearing shorts, sandals, and his lab coat (he's the science teacher). He bought this suit for our annual food drive and told the kids that if they raised 2400 lbs of food for the food bank, he would wear a suit to school on "Formal Day" of spirit week. The kids rallied and raised over 4500 lbs of food for the less fortunate!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYES9XLL99N9uDnSNDL9NhR79o7kUtIz0OKbFoJJQz35P_k6Bdo_HDlWr0zGh-hyxMq406SxvJ5_9zEesvVpOjEPmHfhYZFOWEgKTkVXDYcO9I7dMGojc_iB0i9-MSS_jdKu0s7MTAZ8/s1600/12837730_10208869367637484_1660478647_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYES9XLL99N9uDnSNDL9NhR79o7kUtIz0OKbFoJJQz35P_k6Bdo_HDlWr0zGh-hyxMq406SxvJ5_9zEesvVpOjEPmHfhYZFOWEgKTkVXDYcO9I7dMGojc_iB0i9-MSS_jdKu0s7MTAZ8/s400/12837730_10208869367637484_1660478647_o.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Brielle at her <a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2009/10/where-heck-did-my-rythm-go.html" target="_blank">Discovery</a> recital. Her group performed "Carrying The Banner" from Newsies. It was awesome!</div>
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Cousins watching cartoons on the ipad. It was too cute not to snap a picture.</div>
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Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-11893258618043723712016-03-05T23:10:00.005-07:002016-03-09T18:07:27.220-07:00The Girl With The Headache - conclusion<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-girl-with-headache-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br />
<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-girl-with-headache-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br />
<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-girl-with-headache-part-3.html" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br />
<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-boy-who-loved-girl-with-headache.html" target="_blank">The Boy Who Loved The Girl With The Headache</a><br />
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Ambria's story is not over. We still have lots to accomplish to achieve her victory over this condition that has temporarily taken over her life. It is hard. Life is hard. Being a mom is <b>really</b> hard. But I know beyond any doubt that my Heavenly Father loves me. And that He loves my daughter more perfectly than I can even begin to imagine. <br />
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Through all of this, I've never doubted that Heavenly Father knows what He's doing. There is a purpose, maybe many purposes for this trial. I want to end this series of posts by sharing things that I have learned over the course of this past year.<br />
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<b>I have learned not to judge</b>. I try hard not to worry about what other people think of me. It is a weakness that I haven't overcome yet. So this experience has been quite humbling for me. I've often wondered how our situation appears to others. Ambria misses so much school and church because of pain. Mornings are her enemy. No matter how early she tries to get to sleep - she is unable to, and if she gets up early in the morning, she cannot function through the pain. However if she sleeps until late in the morning, by early afternoon, although still hurting, she can often make it to school for the last couple classes of the day. Sometimes she even feels pretty decent by late afternoon and evening. It is these times that most people see her. She tries hard to be her normal, smiling self when she's around people, and I wonder if others realize that this is just a small sliver of her life, and that for the other majority of her time, she is curled up in pain or sleeping. I wonder if people at the school question the fact that she misses so much school, but then comes in after school for her student council meetings. Or if people wonder why, if she's in so much pain, she participated in the school musical, and how she managed to do it. (At the time of auditions, she was still doing well from her summer of rest. As rehearsals commenced she got worse and worse, and it was a tremendous and painful struggle for her to continue on. But she was determined to fulfill her commitment, and to participate in her last ever school musical as she is leaving the school next year). I wonder if people realize why, even though she misses days of school because she can't physically make the car ride and sit in class and work, I still allow <a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-boy-who-loved-girl-with-headache.html" target="_blank">Justin</a> to come over to keep her company or help her with homework. If she enjoyed skipping school, I wouldn't allow it. But she HATES missing, and being left out of everything her classmates are doing. And I want to help her to feel less lonely in any way I can. So if that means letting her favorite person come over and keep her company after another lonely day of missing school, then so be it. I already mentioned how I wonder what people think of the two of them spending so much time together in general.<br />
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I wonder if the drivers that honk at me, yell at me and sometimes flip me off, knew how much pain every speed bump, train track, driveway dip, and pothole caused my sweet daughter, would they still be so angry with me for how I have to slow WAY down to go over or through, or avoid each one of those things as I drive? Would they be more understanding of how I have to start slowing down long before I reach the stop sign, because braking kills her head, and I have to ease into it as slowly as possible? And how when I accelerate, I have to also ease into it so slowly and gently because the pressure of acceleration also causes intense pain? Would they have any sympathy for the fact that when I am driving her, I am a bundle of tension, my stomach tied up in knots as I try to watch the road from all angles, afraid that I'm going to miss something that will cause my daughter great pain?<br />
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I've had to accept that I have no control over what others think. I know that only I see the whole picture and I'm making the decisions that I feel are right for my daughter, and my family. On that same note, I have learned that I also don't know the whole picture of other people's situations, and it isn't for me to decide if they are or aren't handling things they way I think they should. I've always "known" this principle of course - but this experience has really helped me see that first hand.<br />
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<b>I have learned to pray</b>. Of course I have prayed my whole life. Sometimes more faithfully and earnestly than others. But I've always prayed, and always believed in the power of prayer. However it wasn't until this experience that I truly learned what it means to "cry unto Him in mighty prayer and supplication," as Enos did. Over these past months I have spent more time on my knees than I think EVER before in my life. And I have learned to do more than just thank Heavenly Father for my blessings, and ask for the blessings I desire. I have learned to truly pour out my heart to Him. To share with him my heartache, my sorrow, my fears. I have learned to let Him comfort me in the darkness of night when everyone is asleep and I'm alone with my broken heart. I have felt the reassurance of His perfect love for me, and for Ambria. I have learned to listen carefully for answers and promptings as we've had so many suggestions for different treatment options, medications, or programs that we should try. I have developed a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father as I have turned to Him in prayer more frequently and more earnestly than ever before. For this I am truly grateful.<br />
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<b>I have learned to let the Atonement heal my heart and my spirit.</b> Never at any time, even when I was losing my dad, have I needed to feel the healing power of the Atonement in my life more than I do now. To have the reassurance that my Savior knows my sorrow and heartache. That he can truly be my source of comfort, as He has experienced all of it himself. I've learned to turn my burdens over to Him as I kneel in prayer, or when I'm feeling my weakest, and ready to break. There is nothing that has helped me more than this knowledge, and the ability to lean on Him and feel His love and compassion encompass me. I know He will make everything right.<br />
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<b>I have learned patience. </b> Okay, I'm still working on this one - but it's coming along. During the early weeks of Ambria's condition she was given a <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood-blessing?lang=eng" target="_blank">priesthood blessing</a>. In that blessing she was told that this condition was temporary. I wanted to know what "temporary" meant!! A month? 6 months? A year? I want to know so badly when this will finally be over. But I am learning to have trust in the Lord's timing. To stay faithful, and keep doing everything <i>I </i>can, and let the Lord do the rest in his own perfect time.<br />
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I've been taught my whole life that we are given trials for our good. Our "refiner's fires" to help strengthen and perfect us. I've never doubted it. But going through this has been tiring. And I have grown weary at times of "being refined." But I was recently in a church meeting where a quote from President Uchtdorf was read. I don't even remember the quote. What I do remember are the thoughts and reassurances and words that came into my mind. They touched me so deeply that I wrote them down in my planner.<br />
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In that moment I felt the Spirit remind me, and reassure me that I have a divine destiny. As does my daughter and the rest of my family. We are meant to become so much more than we currently are. And that it is ONLY through adversity that we are able to become who we are meant to be. There is no other way. And God loves each of us so much, that he allows us to go through these trials, even if it hurts Him to watch. Even if he'd like to take away our pain. Because He knows who we are meant to become, and He wants us to reach that eternal potential. Having that confirmation lifted my spirits tremendously, and when I feel about to break again, I reflect back upon that experience, and am reassured again of my Heavenly Father's love, and my faith in His perfect plan is restored.<br />
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Thank you to all for your kind comments, your compassion and your love and prayers. They truly have lifted and sustained us.Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-12117019512107246682016-03-03T18:22:00.000-07:002016-03-07T18:24:12.300-07:00The Boy Who Loved The Girl With The Headache<div style="text-align: center;">
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Meet Justin. He is Ambria's absolute best friend, confidant and hero.</div>
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It is this boy's kindness, support, and heartfelt concern that has gotten Ambria through her hardest, loneliest times. We are so, so grateful for the blessing he has been in her life through all of this. I couldn't tell her story without acknowledging him, and what a huge role he has played in helping her endure this trial.</div>
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Ambria and Justin have been good friends for about 2 1/2 years. They met while both performing in the school musical. She was in 7th grade, and he was in 8th. Their friendship became even stronger about a year later thanks to some silly teenage girl drama (insert eye roll), when he stood up for her to some other (girl) friends of his that had a problem with his friendship with Ambria, and started saying some not nice things about her. He and Ambria were pretty tight after that - but nothing would strengthen their bond like the trial Ambria was to face next, and the worth of his friendship has been proven a million times over.</div>
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Justin is the friend that helped Ambria out to the car that night of the region dance when this <a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-girl-with-headache-part-1.html" target="_blank">nightmare began</a>. He hasn't (emotionally) left her side since. </div>
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When Ambria first started missing out on all her school days, she began to feel very lonely and left out. All of her friends were continuing on with life and fun and laughter at school together. And although I know they each cared about her, and wanted her to be better, they're also kids - teenagers that have their own lives and things that are going on. I knew that Ambria wasn't at the top of their thoughts all the time when they weren't all together. And that is absolutely okay. I had no resentment about them continuing on with their lives while she was at home trying to get better. I also know that people, and especially young people, just aren't sure how to reach out, or what to say, or how to act when someone they know is going through a trial like this. But it was still very lonely for Ambria.</div>
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However, Justin was different. Ambria WAS at the top of his thoughts all the time. Even when she wasn't with him and their other friends. He was truly worried about her, and was ALWAYS checking up on her. When it became apparent that Ambria might not be returning to school anytime soon, he took it upon himself to help her feel less cut off from everything that was going on. Justin's mom teaches at our school, and is usually there for an hour or longer after the school day ends. So he started coming home with my other kids after school, and visited with Ambria until his mom left school and picked him up. He brought the stories of their friends and everything going on at school to her, so she could stay caught up on everything. He visited with her, and made her laugh (although that made her head hurt worse!) He brought back her smile that had been missing for so long. And when she just didn't have the strength to talk because the pain was too much, he let her sleep. She didn't have to feel like she had to be "on" all the time like she would if other friends came to visit. He made her feel okay about laying down on the couch for a nap when she just couldn't keep going. He was fine to patiently sit and watch TV, or play blocks with Hollyn while Ambria got the rest that she needed - knowing that he'd be there when she woke. I'm getting emotional all over again, just typing this.</div>
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I know Ambria knew that she had us. She had her dad and I in her corner and on her side every second. But it's just not the same as having someone YOUR age to be with you, and help you, and listen and try to build you up and help you feel better. What a blessing it was that she had Justin to be all of those things for her.</div>
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I know that in my community of friends there have probably been a few raised eyebrows, maybe even some disapproval for how much time I've let them spend together, without their other friends around (although always 100% chaperoned by myself or his parents). We have a pretty conservative culture and some prominent beliefs (beliefs I wholeheartedly embrace) about boys and girls pairing off at a young age. I would have never thought I would allow a daughter of mine to spend so much time with just one boy at this age. But the truth is, he is her best friend, and she just is not up for hanging out with a group of friends very often. She needs to stop and rest frequently, sometimes sleeping for an hour or more when Justin is over visiting. That's not really something she can do with her other friends. And as time has gone on, and I've seen the gift that Justin's company is to her, there's no way I'd take that away, and have her be lonely and sad all the time. This friendship has saved her over the course of this past year.</div>
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When summer came, Ambria hoped and pleaded and prayed that she would be able to attend our church girl's camp. It was MaiLee's first year attending, and Ambria wanted so badly to be there with her for her first experience with camp. But it wasn't in the cards, and she just was not able to go. So instead, Justin planned a perfect day for her to help keep her mind off of her disappointment. Ambria has always wanted to learn to fish. Justin happens to be a lifelong fisherman! He scouted around to help me find a place they could fish that was nearby (short car ride and not up the canyon) and that had plenty of shade (to keep her headache low). Then the day that MaiLee left for camp, he surprised her with a day out learning to fish. We couldn't stay long, because she just wasn't up for it, but she still remembers it as one of the best days of her life.</div>
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Justin is always trying to think of ways that he can help ease her burden. He knows he can't take away her physical pain, but he tries so so hard to do what he can to take away her emotional pain. And his patience with her emotions is amazing. Because she can get pretty emotional at times, and he just rolls with it and lets her have her moment, and then helps her to move on.</div>
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We recently went ice skating - something Ambria has been missing so much and has begged to try doing again. She was given permission from her doctor, with the warning to be very careful because hitting her head would be catastrophic. We went to the rink, joined by a couple of friends, including Justin. I had been debating over whether to make her wear a helmet - an idea that horrified Ambria. At first I gave into her wishes, but as the rink got more crowded, with more and more skaters trying to show off and be fancy - many times causing other skaters to take a spill - her dad and I KNEW that she needed to wear a helmet. If her head hit the ice - we couldn't even finish the thought. She was mortified. She wasn't sure she would even keep skating, she thought it was so humiliating to be 15 years old and to have to wear a helmet at the public skating rink. She went to the desk and checked out a helmet. She started to put it on 3 different times, each time dropping the helmet back down to her side before it reached her head, and looking over at me with a mixture of pleading and anger in her eyes. I wanted to cry - but I didn't crack. Seeing this interchange, Justin walked away without a word, went to the desk, checked out a helmet and without batting an eye, put it on his own head. Then he took Ambria's helmet from her hands and placed it on her head. It was all I could do to keep my emotions in check and not lose it right there in the middle of the skating rink.</div>
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Over this past year, I've watched him worry about her, take care of her, write her sweet letters, bring sweet little surprises, he texts me BEFORE texting or calling her, just to make sure she's not sleeping, because he doesn't want to wake her if she is. He has helped her do her piles of homework from all her missed school days. He has participated with us when we've fasted and prayed for her, and he's been a shoulder to cry on when it all gets to be too much for her. I've watched him break down in tears himself once Ambria is done for the night, and I'm giving him a ride home. This big, strong teenage boy, who has had enough of watching someone he cares so much for be in so much pain all the time. He has a huge heart and has given it all to Ambria in her time of need.</div>
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He is not only there for her, but has befriended all of her siblings as well. Hollyn ADORES him, and often fights Ambria for is attention! He is good to everyone in our family and we truly love him.</div>
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MaiLee really wants to learn guitar, so he brought his over to show her a few things.</div>
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Waiting with Hollyn after school for Ambria to get out of a meeting.</div>
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As you can imagine, they have formed quite a bond. And as Ambria has gotten stronger, she's been there for him through some personal trials of his own. Doing her all to repay him for all that he's been to her through this struggle of hers. As I've watched their relationship grow, I'm struck by how truly blessed they are to have each other - because they both honestly have each other's best interest at heart and want each other's happiness more than anything else. That's not to say that they ALWAYS see everything eye to eye - but they have grown pretty smitten with one another.</div>
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Do I think they are WAY young to have such strong feelings for one another? Of course I do. I worry often about how things might play out as they are still so young and have lots of growing and changing to do over the next few years of growing up. But I don't know how you go through something like this together, and not develop strong feelings. And I wouldn't trade any of it away, because this relationship has truly been a gift and a blessing in her life when she needed it most. There are honestly no words to express what his care for her has meant to me as a mother.</div>
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Whatever does happen in their futures, I will be forever grateful for Justin's friendship, and all he has done for, and been to my daughter.</div>
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<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-girl-with-headache-part-1.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-girl-with-headache-part-1.html" target="_blank">The Girl With The Headache Part 1</a></div>
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<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-girl-with-headache-part-2.html" target="_blank">The Girl With The Headache Part 2</a></div>
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<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-girl-with-headache-part-3.html" target="_blank">The Girl With The Headache Part 3</a></div>
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<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-girl-with-headache-conclusion.html" target="_blank">The Girl With The Headache Conclusion</a></div>
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<br />Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-21208796533699882672016-03-02T11:58:00.003-07:002016-03-07T22:06:38.972-07:00The Girl With The Headache - Part 3<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-girl-with-headache-part-1.html" target="_blank">Read part 1</a>. <a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-girl-with-headache-part-2.html" target="_blank">Read part 2</a>.<br />
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<b>The highs and lows and where we're at now.</b><br />
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I wish I could say that since summer break Ambria has just kept improving and things are looking wonderful. But unfortunately that is not the case. <br />
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There was a time that our hopes were soaring high. After all the physical pain and the emotional heartache, one day it all started to go away. It was July 13th - four and a half months from that horrible night of the region dance. Many doctor's visits, different treatments, dietary adjustments, supplements and medications later - Ambria woke up one morning and sent me a message. She asked me to come into the bedroom where she had been sleeping. I rushed in to see what was wrong. She looked at me with a sort of puzzled expression and said, "My headache is gone." I heard what she said, but that didn't keep me from asking, "What?"<br />
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"My headache is gone," she repeated. I didn't know what to think. I wrapped my arms around her and just held her in relief and shock. "I wanted to tell you first, but I have to call Justin now!" (Best friend and the person who has been her rock and her biggest cheerleader through all of this. More on him next time).<br />
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It was a great day. Her joy was short lived, as her headache returned within an hour or so, but I told her to sleep, and the next time she woke up it was gone again! This pattern continued, and her stretches of time with no pain kept growing, and the painful time periods kept shrinking. She was waking up every day without a headache, and we were able to start really managing the triggers as well. She started being able to get her pain to go down or even away with food. And if she ate during a car ride, most of the time it kept her pain from getting too intense. We had to keep lots of snacks on hand, and she slept a LOT (Anywhere from 11-13 hours a night, and off and on during the day). It was a sometimes tiring way to live, but it was helping and that was all that mattered. She was still unable to do any physical activities without her migraine rushing right back, but she was able to enjoy days without constant, debilitating pain. We thought this was the home stretch, and that soon she would be completely better.<br />
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School started and she was still going strong. Her class went on their first camp out of the year and she was able to go, to participate, and to stay the whole time! It meant so much after the crappy way her school year before had ended. But as time went on, the early mornings, the car rides back and forth, the focus on school work all day every day and the lack of opportunities to nap throughout the day started to take their toll. She started missing her early morning <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/topic/seminary" target="_blank">Seminary</a> class that she loved so much. Then she started missing school in the mornings because she was just in too much pain to make it to school that early. Then she started missing whole days. We're gradually sliding back to where we were at this time last year. And it sucks. The worst of all of it is seeing her discouragement and sadness return.<br />
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Things she's had to give up due to this condition: Soccer, activities with friends, riding the bus for fieldwork at school, participating in fieldwork, attending school regularly with all her peers, her music lessons, her early morning seminary class (we pulled her out and she now has a home-study teacher come to our home and help her), riding in the car with friends or family (I drive her whenever she needs to go somewhere, because I know every little thing that will hurt her head, and am able to make it less painful than other drivers who aren't used to her condition), regular church attendance, sports of all kinds, her active, involved lifestyle. All of these are casualties to the constant pain that has taken over her life for this past year.<br />
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As a mother, I can't think of any worse torture than watching your child suffer. Watching her be in physical pain pierces my heart and it literally hurts. Watching her emotional suffering? Her loneliness, discouragement and sadness? THAT tramples my soul. The helplessness I feel is at times absolutely crushing. She is not the girl she was a year ago. Before this pain, she was active, outgoing, fearless, funny and full of confidence and life. Now she is sad, isolated, often times insecure, and the laughter that used to fill her days comes around much less frequently. Now her days are often filled with tears. Sometimes I don't know how she bears it all, and I feel that watching her go through this is more than I can bear myself. I just want to fix her. I want my girl back. And I want her to have her life back.<br />
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<b>What her life used to look like:</b></div>
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<b>What it looks like now:</b></div>
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After a short (15 minute) car ride. She couldn't even get out of the car.</div>
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After the 25 minute drive to piano lessons<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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Most of the time when she's not trying to go to school or church.</div>
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As I mentioned previously, I know there are families struggling with far greater trials than what we are facing, and I feel guilty for bearing our burden so poorly. But knowing that honestly doesn't make it any easier to watch my beautiful girl struggle.</div>
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We aren't giving up, and will continue to pray, and to search out and try new things until we find something that will work and help her get better.<br />
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<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-boy-who-loved-girl-with-headache.html" target="_blank">The Boy Who Loved The Girl With The Headache</a></div>
<br />Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-39310405401328446002016-03-01T00:40:00.000-07:002016-03-02T13:46:23.122-07:00The Girl With The Headache - Part 2If you haven't read part one - go<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-girl-with-headache-part-1.html" target="_blank"> here</a>.<br />
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<b>Tender Mercies</b><br />
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Throughout this ordeal of physical pain, emotional pain, helplessness and frustration - we have not been without blessings from our Heavenly Father. There have been so many little tender mercies that we have experienced, and I'd like to share 3 that were especially needed and filled us with gratitude.<br />
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<b>Pedals for Hope</b><br />
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Every year our 8th grade class does a cancer fundraiser called Pedals for Hope. The students participate in a bike ride to raise money for the <a href="http://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/" target="_blank">Huntsman Cancer Institute</a>. Ambria has been looking forward to this ride since she was in elementary school. She was heartbroken at the thought of not being able to participate, now that it was finally her turn. Her doctor gave her the okay to go ahead and try it, provided that her pain was manageable enough on the day of the ride. The week leading up to the ride she wanted to practice on her bike, as she had not ridden since long before her condition began. But each day she was just in too much pain to try. We prayed hard. The evening before the ride, she got her bike out and began to ride around the neighborhood. She found that her balance and equilibrium were not what they ought to be to ride a bike. She was very discouraged, as well as nervous about how she would be able to do the next day. She wanted to participate so badly, as serving others is such an inherent part of who she is. More prayers were offered before heading to bed that night, as well as in the morning before heading to school. Prayers that her endurance and balance would be okay (she also has Asthma), that her pain would be manageable, and that the sun would not intensify her pain. The kids were doing laps along a riverside bike trail. It was up to them how long and far they would ride. Ambria set off with a determined heart, with her kind, beautiful friend E by her side. Together they rode, and kept riding. In the end they went the second longest distance in the grade - just under 20 miles! Although the pain intensified immediately upon finishing the ride, and was harder on her than usual, this accomplishment was so so good for her heart.<br />
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<b>Taking the field one last time</b></div>
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One of the hardest parts of quitting soccer for Ambria was that she was missing out on the final season that her team would be together under the coach that had been coaching them for years - since they were little. Her age group was moving up to the high school level, his daughter had decided not to continue playing, and he coached 2 other teams as well. So it was the final season for this team to stay together, many of them having "grown up" in the game with each other. </div>
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From the time of her team's second to last game I had been thinking about the idea of allowing her to play the last few minutes of this final game. The idea terrified me. I knew it would be a big risk. If she hit her head at all, it would be a disaster. But after much prayer, and discussion with her dad, we decided that if the pain was low that day, we would ask her coach to put her in during the final minutes of the game. We didn't tell her though, just in case.</div>
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She went to the game in full gear, to really feel as much a part of the team as she could. Near the end of the game, her pain level was fairly manageable (such a miracle considering that she'd been out in the bright shining sun for nearly 90 minutes), so I went and talked with the coach. He was thrilled to have her be in the game one last time with their team at their final game. When he called her up to take the field, and I confirmed that she had my permission, there are no words to describe the joy on her face. As she joined her team on the field (to much applause from her teammates), I couldn't hold back the tears. Soccer is SO MUCH a part of her, and after being off the field for 7 months, being back completely transformed her countenance. I was happy for her to be out there once again, but also my heart broke all over again as I watched her play, with so much joy. All I could think was, "she BELONGS out there. She belongs there, but will never be there again." But how grateful I was that our Heavenly Father had granted her enough relief from her pain to be able to take the field one last time.</div>
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<b>Family Reunion</b></div>
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School was finally over. Ambria was able to start sleeping to her heart's content. No more early mornings, or long hours of homework. No more car rides back and forth to school. This is what we hoped would finally be the thing to help her get better. But those first 6 weeks of summer showed little to no progress from where she was when school let out. She missed <a href="https://www.lds.org/youth/article/young-women-camp?lang=eng" target="_blank">girls camp.</a> She missed <a href="https://www.lds.org/youth/activities/stake-and-multistake-activities/camps-and-youth-conferences/youth-conferences?lang=eng" target="_blank">Youth Conference</a>. She couldn't endure the drive to either place, or tolerate being out in the sun all day every day. She was beyond frustrated. We had our family reunion approaching the first week of August. It was an unimaginable 7 hour drive away (she literally only has to be in the car for a matter of minutes before her pain level shoots sky high). We couldn't even imagine how she would make that drive, or be able to enjoy the trip once we were there. But we kept praying, and doing all we could under our doctor's directions to try and help her. Then one day in the middle of July, she had her first moments of her head being pain free. It didn't last, and all of the regular triggers would still shoot her head pain straight up. But it did give us a little bit of hope. Our doctor had us try a motion sickness medicine that would also make her drowsy. We did our first trial run on a 25 minute drive to our kids' music lessons. She was out cold before we hit the freeway, and then we had a really hard time waking her up! But the ride wasn't miserable for her, and her pain level was low. The time came for us to make our trip. We were worried, but with all the faith our hearts could muster, we drugged her up and hit the road. She slept the entire way! And what was more miraculous was that when we reached our destination, she was headache-free! She wanted more than anything to enjoy this reunion. We had told her she probably wouldn't be able to go out on the boat or anything where the motion would trigger her migraine. But as she made it through that first evening with no headache, and the next day was still pain free, we agreed to let her try going out on the boat, as it was a pontoon boat and our cousins whose boat it was were aware that we might have to turn back at any moment to bring her back to shore. We headed out on the lake. And she did great. She had her head go up a little bit when we had to make a quick stop where the water got shallow, but other than that she was pain free during the whole afternoon. Jeremy has done water sports his whole life. He told me that in all his life he has never, ever seen a lake as still and calm as that lake was that day. Even when another boat passed nearby, it was like glass, with not even a ripple to rock our boat and cause Ambria any discomfort. She was able to enjoy a day out on the lake with the rest of her family and it was a beautiful thing for her dad and I to watch. It was these moments of joy that we had previously taken for granted, that we had missed so much for the past 6 months. Ambria was able to enjoy the remainder of our time at the reunion (one more night and morning) without being bothered by a migraine. I know that this was another tender mercy granted by our Heavenly Father, so that we would know that He is there, and is aware of us and our trials. Her headache returned with a vengeance on the ride home, and we hated that, but those three days being able to enjoy our family reunion were such a tremendous blessing that I will always remember and be grateful for.</div>
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These 3 experiences were nothing short of miraculous, considering that when she walks out into sunlight, her headache immediately increases in intensity. Even a short car ride shoots her migraine up, sometimes to the point of tears. And physical exertion always magnifies her pain - which is most frustrating of all for my active girl. </div>
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Having these gifts granted to her by our Heavenly Father help us keep moving forward, with hope and faith that in time, Ambria will be able to lead a more normal life again, free of the pain that has been her constant companion this past 12 months.</div>
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<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-girl-with-headache-part-3.html" target="_blank">Read part 3.</a></div>
Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-20889414501346589842016-02-28T00:00:00.000-07:002016-03-01T00:57:08.556-07:00The Girl With the Headache - part 1<b>One year</b>. It was one year ago today that my oldest daughter walked away from a church dance with a headache that would completely change her life. That's not where it all began though. It began long before then, with a girl who had a passion for soccer, and an extremely competitive nature.<br />
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I haven't posted much on social media, or at all on my blog about her situation. I don't like to publicly dwell on and lament about my family's trials. I don't want to seem like I'm fishing for sympathy, or like I'm needy. Maybe I'm just too prideful and don't want to seem weak. Also, I know of others who are going through far worse trials and I feel guilty talking about ours. But enough people know bits and pieces of her story and wonder what exactly is going on, so I thought it was time to get it all out there. Perhaps her story will reach someone else who is going through a similar trial and help them feel less lonely. And it will be good to have it all recorded to look back on when this is all over.<br />
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Ambria was my athlete. Of all my kids, including my son, she is the one that took to playing sports. And from an early age her sport of choice was soccer. Oh how she loves it. And over the years she became quite the soccer player, if I do say so myself. She's also very competitive, and fearless. This combination can lead to trouble when you're a pre-teen playing co-ed soccer. That's the time the boys start surpassing the girls in size and strength.<br />
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<b>April 27, 2013</b><br />
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It was a beautiful morning for a soccer game. The sun was shining, and the wind that often pestered the young players and their adoring fans was absent. Ambria was playing some of her best soccer to date, and her team was up, with the end of the game near. That's when Ambria and a boy from the opposing team both went full steam ahead for the ball. He beat her to it and kicked with his full force. She was just seconds away from reaching the ball from the opposite direction, so you can imagine the force of the impact when the ball hit her square in the head. It snapped her head back and laid her out flat. The game went on briefly, but time stood still for me, as I waited for her to get up and walk it off. Only she didn't. The ref halted play and I couldn't get to her fast enough. When I reached her she was still on her back, her coach and players from both teams huddled around her. It took several minutes before she was able to sit up, then stand and be helped off the field. She walked off the field to applause, but she didn't hear any of it. She wasn't aware of anything around her and we barely made it off the field before she sank back to the ground, unable to walk further. We hadn't reached our family or our team, but she needed to stop. We sat there, her resting and drinking water, until the game ended. As we made our way to the car, it was clear to her dad and I that we needed to head to the ER instead of home. It was, of course, a concussion, and she had a hard time counting, as well as reading sight words without having to sound them out. There were more tests, I can't remember them all, but she was told not to read, or watch TV or do computer work or homework or anything to stimulate her brain as long as she was feeling dizzy or headachy at all. She was not to return to sports until she went 10 full days with no concussion symptoms. It was a long couple of weeks for her, but her symptoms went away fairly quickly, and finally she was able to get back to her regular activity. Then, her first time playing soccer at recess, she took another ball to the head. It wasn't nearly as hard but still did some damage, since she had just recovered from a concussion as it was. Over the next 10 months she suffered 2 more concussions for a total of 4 concussions in 12 months. She missed the end of her soccer season, but recovered relatively well. Life got back to normal, although she occasionally got headaches in the car, or a little dizzy on amusement park rides. She continued to play soccer over the next season and 1/2.<br />
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<b>February 28, 2015</b><br />
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Ambria was attending a church region dance with some friends. I got a message near the end of the dance that she had a horrible headache. She had to be helped out to the car by her friend whom we were also giving a ride home. She had suffered a similar, extreme headache a few days prior after being spun on a hamster wheel toy at a local playground, but it went away after some rest. Not this time. She spent the next week curled up in bed or on the couch, in pain. It was a debilitating pain that kept her from attending church or school. We were able to get her into a headache and migraine specialist where she was diagnosed with <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-concussion-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20032705" target="_blank">Post Concussive Syndrome</a> with chronic daily migraine. Basically everything in her brain was mis-firing and causing the symptoms. It was a relief to know that it wasn't something life threatening, and we expected things to get better with some treatment and a little time. <br />
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That week stretched into a month. Then 2 months. Then more. There was never a waking moment that Ambria wasn't in pain. She missed excessive amounts of school and church. And the emotional toll it took on her was harder for this mama to watch than even the physical pain my girl was in. She made such a valiant effort to stay positive, be grateful for her blessings, and put on a brave face for others, but she began to feel very isolated and disconnected from her friends at school. She has always been outgoing, active in everything, and very involved with what was going on. Now she was missing out on all the fun activities that go along with attending a school like ours, that focuses on experiential learning. She wasn't able to go out with her group of friends anymore, to the park or the mall or the movies. Life at school was moving on without her. She was very discouraged and lonely and it broke my heart to watch. The pain medicines prescribed did nothing to ease her pain. But there were rare times when the intensity of her migraine was lower and she was able to push through the pain and make it to school or to church. She also started having struggles with her cognitive skills. It was hard for her to focus. She often got dizzy, lost her balance, or had brief vision blackouts. She would start a sentence and then lose her train of thought and not remember what she was trying to say. It was scary and frustrating for her, at 14 to feel like she was losing her ability to concentrate and communicate fully. We learned the triggers that would cause her pain to increase (car rides first and foremost, then bright light, especially sunlight, then lack of sleep and not eating frequently enough). Car rides and sunlight are impossible to avoid, but we did our best to adapt and try to make the situation as bearable as possible. Still, she basically felt like she was missing out on life. Were it not for the amazing support and friendship of a kind-hearted boy who has been by her side through everything, I'm not sure how well she would have endured those last months of school, and into the summer.<br />
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As more time went by, she seemed to be making small improvements. The times her migraine was at the highest pain level seemed to be less frequent throughout the day and not last as long. And the times where the pain was lower seemed to be more frequent and last longer. It helped me have hope that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Still, there was never any time during the day or night (unless she was sleeping) that she wasn't in a great deal of pain, and she became increasingly disheartened and frustrated. She cried easily and often - which led us to discover that another big trigger for her pain intensity was crying. It gave new meaning to the term "crying headache."<br />
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Spring soccer started and when the pain wasn't too intense, we went to the soccer fields so she could support her team from the sidelines. She felt that it was something she should do, but I hated watching her heart break each time her team took the field without her. The season progressed, but Ambria's recovery didn't. To add insult to injury, it was determined that she should not play soccer anymore, even if she recovered completely from her symptoms. Losing soccer for good has probably been the hardest thing for her to accept in all this. This is a picture from the second to last game of the season. She cried throughout and I could do nothing to help her heart.<br />
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She attempted to attend the final camp out of the school year, but the ride up the canyon and being out in the sun was too much for her and we had to bring her home after the first night. She was so angry at missing out on the last outdoor experience with her classmates before school ended, and many of them moved on to different schools.</div>
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<b>Tender Mercies</b></div>
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Over the course of these painful months, we were not without blessings from our Heavenly Father. And how grateful I am for the times we were granted tender mercies that gave hope and comfort, and helped renew our faith. There are three times in particular that especially stand out in my memory. As this post is already extremely long, I'll save them for next time.</div>
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<a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-girl-with-headache-part-2.html" target="_blank">Read Part 2</a>.</div>
Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-88710027860456792502016-02-26T12:57:00.000-07:002016-02-26T14:22:00.419-07:00Friday FiveFive thoughts, five pictures. Easy peasy. Today I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.emmymom2.com/" target="_blank">Emmy</a> for Friday Five.<br />
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1 - I have too many kids. Seriously. I'm not saying I'm willing to give any of them up...but with 3 of them in their teen years and involved in so many activities for church, school, and their music - I honestly need a clone to get them all to the various places they all need to be throughout the week, often their commitments overlapping each other. My oldest does drive, but we are a one car family at the moment! Sometimes I feel like I'm losing my mind! </div>
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2 - I will have one less to chauffer around by the end of summer. I don't know where time went, but Kaden will be turning 18 and leaving on a 2 year mission for the <a href="https://www.mormon.org/" target="_blank">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints</a>. I don't even know what to do with this yet. I'm excited and proud and can't wait to see where the Lord sends him. But I cannot even imagine life without him in this household every day! Ack!</div>
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3 - I'm super excited to go spend 4 days in Seattle with him as a chaperon for his tour with his High School Orchestra. I've never been to Seattle, and I've rarely had any one on one time with my son this past couple of years because of the whole having too many kids thing, and his busy schedule (besides playing in the orchestra, he is the Orchestra Council President, on the <a href="http://seminary.lds.org/?lang=eng" target="_blank">Seminary</a> Council, and on our <a href="https://www.mormon.org/faq/ward-stake-branch" target="_blank">Stake</a> Youth Committee).</div>
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4 - I'm working on a series of blog posts about an emotional situation in my family. I've felt prompted to do the posts for awhile now, but am feeling very anxious about putting it all out there. I'm kind of private about family stuff - which I know - weird for a blogger. But the first post will appear on Sunday. </div>
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5 - Even though I have too many kids - they are the light of my life. For my 5 pics, I'm just going to share a picture of each one of them. So if you haven't seen them in awhile, you can see how they've grown. Or if you don't know me, or my blog, you can "meet" them. :)</div>
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Kaden and his beautiful best friend/girl he's crazy about. They served on orchestra council together representing different schools with a combined orchestra. She is currently away at school - we'll see what happens when he returns from his mission. ;) <a href="http://www.elizabethrussellstudios.com/#home" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a>.</div>
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Ambria is 15 and growing more beautiful with each passing year. She's always the one that takes the photos, so I had to steal this selfie off of Instagram!</div>
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MaiLee - 13, right after the school musical. I can't believe how grown up she's getting. Yeah, I totally cropped the other kids out of the picture. ;)</div>
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Brielle just turned 9. She was just an itty bitty, funny, mischievous toddler when I first started this blog. Where has the time gone??</div>
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And Hollyn. She's 3! And this look on her face says it all. She is trouble! Our spoiled, funny princess.<br />
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Link up to Friday 5 and play along!<br />
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Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-90022462546073733712016-02-22T11:24:00.000-07:002016-02-23T11:36:54.830-07:00Busy Busy Busy!It's been such a busy past few months! I'm going to recap just a bit of our crazy, fun filled life. I think I have way too many kids! They keep things interesting, crazy and hectic! But I have so much I want to blog about that I'm just going to keep trying to get back here, no matter how much time gets away from me between posts!<br />
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The end of September and beginning of October brought the birthdays of these beautiful girls. What a blessing they are in my life! Ambria turned 15, and then 6 days later, my spunky Brielle turned 9 (posted a litte about that last time).<br />
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Halloween came and (thankfully) went! And although I loathe the "holiday", I actually enjoy helping my kids get all dressed up.<br />
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As always we had a plentiful Thanksgiving, followed by a bit of Black Friday deal snatching. I know a lot of people are disgruntled about the commercialism of it all, but I've got to say I was able to get something really nice that was the only thing my daughter wanted for Christmas, and were it not for Black Friday, it would not have been in our Christmas budget. So I'm a fan.<br />
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Then...the most wonderful time of the year....CHRISTMAS! And we were graced with a beautiful, WHITE Christmas. It's been a couple years since the fluffy white stuff visited for Christmas Day, so it was quite heavenly. Santa was good to us, and the season was filled with warmth, family, and celebrating the birth of our Savior. Oh how I love Christmas. I miss it already.<br />
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December and January were also filled with a crazy musical rehearsal schedule. Ambria and MaiLee both performed in the school's production of Once On This Island, Jr. They did a fantastic job and I was so, so proud.<br />
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The musical opened the first weekend in February. Coincidentally, MaiLee and Hollyn both have birthdays the first week in February! We celebrated MaiLee's 13th Birthday on Wednesday. I attended Charter Day on the Hill at the State Capitol with her (to advocate for charter schools, and charter-friendly legislation). She is a member of the student council and was representing our awesome school. We celebrated with family that night, then the musical opened on Friday night - which also happened to be Hollyn's 3rd birthday - so we had a late evening birthday party at the McDonald's near the theater as soon as the musical was over. It was a crazy, fun time!<br />
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You'd think after all that, life might settle down a little. But nope. It's time to start looking ahead to Kaden's tour schedule for both Orchestra, and choir, as well as graduation preparation. He's also getting ready to start working on his paperwork for his<a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/topic/missionary-program" target="_blank"> mission</a>. he could be gone in 5 months from now! It's so crazy.<br />
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My little family is growing up so quickly. I feel like I blinked and all of a sudden I'm this mom with kids who are nearly grown, and I don't know what happened! But I could not feel more blessed, grateful for the children I have, and proud of the people they are becoming. My Heavenly Father has been so good to me. I don't deserve this life, but boy am I thankful that I get to have it anyway.Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-19346582358251086182015-10-27T10:07:00.000-06:002015-10-27T10:07:11.741-06:00Ten Things to Smile AboutBeing that I really don't enjoy Halloween, and October is one of my most stressful months of the year, and we've been having some health struggles with one of our children, and I've basically been feeling very overwhelmed and discouraged recently - I think it is the perfect time for me to link up with <a href="http://www.emmymom2.com/" target="_blank">Emmy</a> and her Ten Things to Smile About. I need to take a good long look at the things that brought me joy this month!<br />
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1 - <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions?cid=HP14GC&lang=eng" target="_blank">General Conference</a>. The opportunity to be instructed, uplifted and inspired by prophets of God, and those He has chosen to serve and to lead in His church. I love, cherish and look forward to Conference Weekend every 6 months and heard so many things that my spirit needed to know or to remember.</div>
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2 - This sweet, spunky girl turned 9. I cannot believe how my little family is growing up. It makes me smile and makes me crazy at the same time! I love this girl and love celebrating her and the blessing she is in our family. </div>
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3 - Christmas music. Yes, you heard me right. It's what gets me through October. It reminds me that I just need to soldier on, make it through Halloween, and then - the most wonderful time of the year will be waiting for me on the other side! I listen to Pandora Christmas Radio while working around the house, and I recently acquired 3 new Christmas CDs for $1 each at the DI! So those lift my spirits while I'm being personal chauffeur to my lovely offspring and their friends.</div>
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4 - Speaking of Friends...</div>
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These cuties always make me smile. This was taken during our ice cream stop on our way home from the Crazy Corn Maze. Watching my kids with their friends is always entertaining - and keeps me young!</div>
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5 - Speaking of friends AGAIN...</div>
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This beautiful lady also had a birthday this month. And man I do NOT know where I would be if she hadn't been born! I would certainly have had a LOT less of laughter and adventures in my life! </div>
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6 - I smiled BIG TIME when I shipped my final Halloween costume order out last week. It is always a huge relief to know that I've completed all orders, and that they are on their way to making someone's Halloween happy. </div>
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7 - The kindness of strangers. We had a wonderful experience with this that I'm going to blog about later in the week. So I guess you could consider this a "teaser". ;)</div>
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8 - My crock pot. It makes me smile to dump a bunch of crap in the pot in the morning, and then have a nice hot dinner ready in the evening after a day of running around and being crazy busy. I'm always on the lookout for new recipes. I only have 2 requirements: EASY, DELICIOUS. </div>
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9 - Kicking it old school. Even though I hate Halloween - it was great fun turning this girl into a cute 80s chick for a couple of Halloween parties she was invited to. </div>
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10 - This handsome boy right here. He works hard and does good. He works part time in the evenings and on weekends to earn money for his expenses (like dates and extracurriculars) , and save for a<a href="https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/members-and-missionaries?lang=eng" target="_blank"> mission</a> and college. He serves his peers in church and in leadership positions in school, and despite his busy schedule, and taking AP and college courses - he's still pulling a 4.0 for his first quarter of Senior Year! I'm so proud. :) I am having mild panic attacks when I think that in less than a year, this boy will be graduated, and out in the world serving the Lord as a missionary for the <a href="https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng" target="_blank">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints</a>. My poor mama heart is in denial! But still so proud.</div>
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What made you smile this lovely October?</div>
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Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-44165486461133818142015-09-09T21:58:00.001-06:002015-09-09T21:58:57.301-06:00Why I Truly Love Parenting TeensI think teenagers get a bad rap. I really do. I'm constantly seeing memes and viral Facebook posts and letters to the editor about "today's generation". As if that term is a dirty word. Repeated often are words like "lazy", "entitled", "disrespectful" and many other unflattering terms. And I think it's garbage. <br />
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YES, there are some crappy teenagers out there. But I think the percentage of "bad kids" today probably isn't any different than it was when I was a teen. And if "our generation" was so much better, and we KNOW what kids today need and how they should be parented, who exactly is raising these crappy teenagers? It certainly can't be all those perfect adults out there who think teenagers today suck. Because if those folks were raising them, I mean they wouldn't be so crappy, right?<br />
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We always "shudder" at the thought of our kids reaching their teenage years. Especially when they are already strong willed babies or toddlers or young children. But I have to say that it is <span style="font-size: x-large;">so</span> much more fun than I ever imagined it could be. After struggling through the sleepless nights and poopy diapers and teething pain and potty training and toddler tantrums and the excruciating elementary school jokes that are the same horrible jokes WE told when we were 8 - my reward is a trio of cute, funny young people that I can actually have real, grown up dialogue with. They actually GET the jokes that <i>I</i> think are funny. We can enjoy the same movies and books and TV shows. We can have serious, in depth conversations about life, friends, family, the gospel, REAL conversations that don't have to be simplified for younger minds. I honestly, truly LOVE being a parent of teenagers.<br />
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Do I know that I am the parent and not their "friend"? Of course! Do they still make me crazy, sometimes argue with my decisions or rules, roll their eyes at me and stomp out of the room in anger when I overrule them? Absolutely. I am the parent. I have been where they are, and I understand many things about life that they are still figuring out. But more often than not, we just really enjoy each other. <br />
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Also? I love their friends. More cute, funny young people. I love when they're hanging out at my house, or I'm driving them to the mall, or somewhere else they need to be. I love just listening to them enjoy good, healthy friendships. I love hearing the funny, dorky teenage things they say. I love the way they tease each other, talk about crushes, complain about certain teachers and just enjoy their young lives.<br />
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MaiLee and Ambria - school musical 2015</div>
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Kaden and gorgeous best friend - Jr. Prom 2015</div>
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And they're not just all silly, frivolous teenage fluff. They do productive and meaningful things. From school musicals, to sports, to service projects, to church activities - they don't just spend all their time laying around playing video games and scrolling through Facebook. I'm not saying they don't do those things, even too much of those things! But that's not all they do. I've seen incredible kindness and compassion from these young people. And I love witnessing them all learn and grow together.<br />
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MaiLee, Ambria and friends in the car after spending the evening entertaining a group of special needs adults with musical performances. (Kaden and Brielle participated too, but weren't in the car when we took pictured friends home!)</div>
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Kaden, Ambria and friends - Michael Vey launch party 2013</div>
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Ambria and best friend helping me make freezer meals for a friend </div>
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who was injured in a serious car accident.</div>
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So young parents who fear the teenage years - take comfort. It can be a lot more fun than you have been led to believe! And other people (parents or non-parents) who truly don't see the amazing things today's generation of teenagers has to offer - I feel sorry for you.<br />
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P.S. Make no mistake - I still absolutely adore and enjoy my younger kiddos too. Just a different kind of enjoy - ya know?Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-14956068236323992192015-09-08T14:49:00.001-06:002015-09-08T14:49:57.040-06:00I used to be a BloggerI don't even really know what to say. Or write about. I only know that I miss blogging. And for the past several weeks I've felt the call of the blogosphere tugging at my fingertips. Things will happen in my life that I want to write about. Or something will happen in the news that I want to share my views on. But not in a combative, Facebook debate sort of way. And then I think - I wish I was still blogging.<br />
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The world of blogging has changed so much since I first started my blog years ago. Back then we had a little circle of blogging friends who visited each other regularly, started getting to know each other, and in many cases lasting friendships in the real world were made. I still keep in touch with many of those friends I made through facebook, or texting. Some have gone on to be big-time money-making famous bloggers. Others have quit blogging. In both cases, I miss reading their blogs each day, giving my little piece of input on their posts, and I miss seeing the comments they left on whatever post I had made that day. It was a time-consuming, sometimes not very productive way of life - but it sure was fun. :) Then I felt like when I was making a post, I had an actual audience that I was speaking to. Now it feels weird - like I'm just typing to no one. I have no idea who, if anyone will see this post. I sort of feel like a new blogger just starting out again, with no audience, and no way of knowing if there is a potential audience out there.<br />
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For those who may be past readers of my blog - how has life been treating you? I have a whole pile of news about <i>our</i> life to catch you up on!<br />
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Like for example: My baby is 2 1/2, my girls are in 4th, 7th and 9th grades, and my son is a SENIOR! WHAT?? I seriously blinked and boom - they're big. It'll take awhile to get up to date on each of their lives. But they amaze me and make me proud every day. Also, Jeremy and I will be celebrating 20 years of marriage this winter! TWENTY!!! That is CA-razy!! I seriously cannot be that old. No. Way.<br />
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So here's to my attempt at getting back to blogging. I don't know how well I'll do, I just know that I need to give it a shot. Because I really miss it. And I miss the connections made with so many great women out there and would like to be part of a community like that once again.<br />
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Do me a favor, will ya? If you happen to be reading this post, just leave a little comment to say "hi", just so I know you're out there. ;) Thanks!Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-39315917884817514092014-10-26T23:14:00.000-06:002014-10-26T23:14:47.238-06:00Focusing on the Fun StuffI'm still working on my political post - I'm having a hard time finding time in my life to write. I am going to be honest and let you know that right now I am completely overwhelmed. I feel like I'm drowning. Between Halloween costume orders, jewelry orders, my disaster that we call a house, Hubby's business, and the kids and all their activities - I have literally felt like crying most of the time lately. But I'm sick of feeling crappy, so I decided to sit down and blog about some fun stuff that has been going on, and think about things for just a little while that really put a smile on my face.<br />
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Two of my beautiful daughters celebrated birthdays in the past few weeks. I cannot believe how quickly they are growing up. I need it to S-L-O-W down already! But I look at them and nearly burst with joy at what wonderful girls they are and how each passing day they get more and more fabulous. I'll post about them in 2 separate posts so I don't have a post that drags on for eternity. <br />
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First, my sweet Ambria turned 14 at the end of last month. We don't do friend birthday parties every year, just at specific, significant ages. 14 isn't one of the years. BUT, I did tell her that although I wasn't going to throw her a party, buy food and cake and put on a big shin dig for everyone, she could still invite a few friends and we would take them downtown to <a href="http://www.shopcitycreekcenter.com/" target="_blank">City Creek Center</a> and let them do <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/125537908335260869/" target="_blank">this fun scavenger hunt</a> that we found online. It's the same hunt that Kaden did with his group for Homecoming last month. We did make a few changes based on age appropriateness, and also took out a few things that didn't seem like a great idea. I told you <a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2014/09/its-been-over-month-since-my-last-post.html" target="_blank">here</a> how much I love her group of friends. Not everyone in the group was able to make it, but the ones that did sure made it a fun night. They said it was okay if I posted a few pics of the evening. They had to pose with certain things or in certain ways, and then they had to find certain items. <br />
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Posing with a bird that flies but never moves. If you are a long-time reader, that cute Bat Girl on the right is Tanielle's daughter (my adopted daughter) Lexlie! Can you believe how much time has flown?? She chose to be the photographer in many of the pictures, and so her pretty face is missing from too many of them!! :(</div>
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Posing as Tim Tebow on the stairs.</div>
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By the bathrooms looking panicked....</div>
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Riding the escalator with hands in the air</div>
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Posing with a mannequin</div>
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Wearing cool shades</div>
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A girl's best friend</div>
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Wearing hats.</div>
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Arms linked in front of a waterfall. There is an ACTUAL waterfall there but they felt this met the requirement. I'm not sure I concur - but whatever.</div>
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And these 3 boys - my adopted sons. I'm not really sure what requirement on the list this picture meets, but I love it! I always wanted another son, and thanks to Ambria - I inherited 3! :)</div>
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I'm pretty sure they all had a good time, and if not, Ambria was at least good enough to let me believe they did. ;) I'm so grateful to have such an amazing daughter who makes good decisions, chooses good friends, and just chooses to be a happy, kind person.</div>
Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-79161512121468068242014-09-21T18:58:00.001-06:002014-09-22T00:06:05.878-06:00I'm Grateful.It's been over a month since my last post - but I'm not giving up on my little blog. I have too much I want to write about!<br />
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I'm working on a pretty heavy political post right now. At least it feels heavy to me. I'm not really sure when it will be finished and ready to publish. I only know it has been fighting to burst out of me for months and months and I finally had to sit down and start writing. We'll see what it looks like when my brain is finally relieved of all the the thoughts and feelings that have been tumbling around in there for all this time.<br />
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For today I think I'll just share some things I'm grateful for. Because I am truly, truly blessed.<br />
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Today I am grateful for the teenagers in my teens' lives. And for their parents. <br />
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I'm so thankful that I was able to send my son out to his first school dance yesterday with a wonderful young woman who values modesty, and who knows she can be beautiful and have a magical evening while dressing in a way that shows respect to herself as well as to my son. I'm so grateful to her parents for setting that expectation, and for raising her to become a young woman with high standards that will help my son live up to those standards that he believes in as well. I hope her parents feel the same about sending their daughter off with my son. I'm also grateful that he was able to go with a whole group of great young men and women who also value these same things. As a mother, it is the best feeling in the world to know your teenager is spending his time with a bunch of other teenagers who share the same beliefs, standards and outlook on life as he does. It is a comfort to hear about their friendships, their activities and experiences, and to hear how they help each other be their best selves, and lovingly lift each other up when one of them may be struggling to be the best them. My son's friends are a true blessing in his life, and therefore mine. <br />
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Today I am grateful that my 13 year old daughter has a group of wonderful, kind friends who also influence her in good ways. I remember so vividly being her age. I remember how tempting it could be to join in with others who weren't always trying to do what I believed was right. I remember seeing friends give in to some of those temptations.<br />
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What a blessing it is to watch my daughter with her friends. Laughing, being dorks, messing around and being silly - but also seriously trying their hardest to do what's right, and expecting the same of each other. I'm thankful for the decision my daughter and one of her close friends have made to start getting up early to serve in the temple every Tuesday at 5 a.m., in order to make it back home in time to get ready for school. They are setting a good example for not only their other friends, but for me as well! Weekly temple service is something that I really would like to get back into the habit of. I watch my daughter interacting with her friends, and my heart fills up with gratitude and pride. I love these kids and am proud of them for knowing who they are, what they stand for and where they are going. And again I feel so much gratitude to their parents for raising them to be the kind of kids that impact my daughter's life in such a positive way. I'm proud of her for being a wonderful example to and influence on them as well.<br />
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Today I am grateful that I will soon be able to hold my new baby niece. She spent the first month of her life living far far away in North Dakota, and is now here for a 2 week visit! I get to see her later tonight and I can't wait! I'm not nearly as excited as my kiddos though. They have been wanting a new cousin for SO LONG!! They are the only grandkids on my side of the family and have been waiting (im)patiently for some cousins. It's going to be a great night.<br />
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I hope this beautiful Sabbath day finds you all healthy and happy and that you have a wonderful week ahead of you!Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-72421945198924770972014-08-11T03:43:00.000-06:002014-08-11T03:43:31.745-06:00Life is GoodWell - it's happening. Right now. I'm blogging. I have been feeling the pull of the blogosphere for a few weeks now. I'm not sure why - but I've just really felt compelled to get back to blogging. I have no idea how I'm gonna make it work. I have so much stuff sucking all my time already! But I've missed this place. There's nowhere else quite like it.<br />
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I'm not even really sure where to start. Do I update on my family? Some people may remember us - some people may be new. Maybe nobody out there will be reading this at all. What's a rusty blogging girl to do?<br />
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I guess we'll start with this cute thing. <br />
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This Baby Girl is 18 months old - can you believe it? It seems like such a short time ago she was coming home from the hospital. Yet - and I think I've said this before - it's incredibly difficult trying to remember what life was like before she came.<br />
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She's kind of a stinker. Like a lot. She's spoiled by all her siblings and extended family, and has developed quite an attitude. It doesn't help that everyone thinks it's hilarious and laughs hysterically whenever she's naughty/bossy/bratty. I keep telling them they won't think it's so adorable when she's a big 5 year old brat.<br />
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At the same time she has a smile that can melt your heart, and when she laughs it is, of course, the best sound in the universe.<br />
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This Monkey is about to turn 8. I can't believe how she's grown. It breaks my heart just a little bit.<br />
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She's so smart that sometimes I forget that she was the baby for a lot of years before Baby Girl surprised us. I'm afraid sometimes I expect too much of this beautiful girl and get too impatient when she doesn't act as old as she often seems. I'm working hard on correcting that behavior in myself - because the worst thing ever is when I hurt this sweet girl's feelings. She is the best at wanting to help with her baby sister and just really wants to be like her big sisters. Of course that comes along with the sassy attitude they sometimes have as well!</div>
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Speaking of sassy - my Pixie is 11 1/2. She'll be turning 12 this winter.</div>
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She is all girl. She loves clothes and jewelry and does her hair about 5 times a day. She doesn't normally wear make up, but this picture was taken after her performance in the American History Operetta that her 5th grade class performed. She is counting down the days until her 12th birthday - when she'll be allowed to start wearing some conservative eye make up. She says she wants to be a hair stylist - but after I discovered some drawings of "outfits" she made up - I'm thinking fashion designer. ;)</div>
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That brings us to Cowgirl. She's almost 14 and has become quite the little athlete.</div>
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She LOVES soccer. How long she'll be playing remains to be seen. She suffered 4 head injuries in 1 year playing soccer. 3 of them were fairly mild, but the first one - not so much. She knows she's on thin ice right now. Because as much as we love watching her play - we are SO not willing to gamble with her health (maybe even her life) just so she can be a soccer super star. She has way too much besides soccer to offer to the world. It was a real struggle for us as parents to even decide to let her play this season. She begged us. She knows there are 2 non-negotiable conditions: 1 - she only plays soccer in her soccer league. She no longer plays wild crazy soccer with her friends where it is basically a free for all! And 2 - one more hit to the head - just one - and she's done. The new season's about to start, so we'll see how everything unfolds. Aside from soccer she is having fun just being a teenager and we are having fun watching her grow.</div>
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And finally our Bookworm. This guy turned 16 this summer. That's right folks - he's behind the wheel and on the road!</div>
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This photo was taken with James Dashner, a favorite author of his. What he really wants to be is a writer and whenever one of his favorite authors comes into town for a book signing, he makes sure he's there to meet them! He's still developing his talent in playing violin and just completed his first year of High School where he has made a wonderful group of friends. Good kids with high standards who help each other do what's right. He's been on his first 2 dates, and I have loved watching him grow into the leader and friend he is becoming to those around him. I am so proud of him and his sisters.</div>
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I sure do love these five fantastic kids of mine. I pray every night for help being the mom they deserve and the mom they need to help them become who they are meant to be. I'm also so grateful to have a good man by my side to be their dad. Life is good.</div>
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Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-48176223847711566102014-03-17T00:31:00.002-06:002014-03-17T00:31:44.557-06:00Our Weekend Unplugged<div style="text-align: left;">
Last week I told you our family was going to have an "unplugged weekend". I had been thinking about doing this for a while, and finally got around to discussing it with Hubby. With him on board, we presented it to the kids, starting out with watching this short message as a family:</div>
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As parents, hubby and I are pretty conservative when it comes to a lot of the technologies of today. We don't allow violent video games in our home, our children were probably some of the last of their friends to get Facebook accounts and I know that Bookworm (our only child with a cell phone for now) was the last of his friends to get a phone. It has nothing to do with not trusting our kids and everything to do with what we felt was or wasn't necessary for our family's circumstances and what we did or didn't feel was the most uplifting or healthy way for our family to spend their time.</div>
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Of course there is a fine line between giving them everything, and allowing them nothing. We have social media accounts, we have cell phones and ipods, and we have the natural tendency to let our personal electronics consume more of our attention and time than is needful or healthy for real relationships.</div>
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And I'm not just talking about the kids. I know I have been guilty of being engrossed in reading something on FB, or answering a text while one of my children is trying to tell me something, only to look up to their frustrated faces as we both realize I wasn't paying attention to a word they said. I have also felt frustration when looking around at my family and not seeing eyes, because Hubby is reading something on his phone, Cowgirl is playing a game on her ipod, and Bookworm is engrossed with the 3 conversations he has going on at once via text. Nobody is doing anything BAD, it's just that nothing really GOOD is happening with the time spent with our faces stuck in our personal devices. So we had a weekend that was unplugged. And it was awesome.</div>
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We started out on Friday around 4 o'clock. Everyone was home from school and we all powered down our devices and "turned them in". We had a few exceptions. Hubby's business and my business both depend on us being somewhat prompt in responding to our customers. So we were allowed 1 or 2 brief times during the day where he would check his voicemail, and I would check my shop correspondence to see if there were any customers who we needed to respond to. We also took Hubby's phone while the kids were home alone watching the baby, just so they could reach us in case of emergency. But that was it. The rest of the time our phones stayed powered down and in a little collection on the piano for the weekend. We all let people know that we would be without our phones, but they could call our home phone if they needed to reach us. Remember the days of not being "on demand"? Of being out with your family and really BEING with them, and whoever needed to talk to you would leave a message on your answering machine, and when you got home you could call them back? Remember how good that was? That's what we did this weekend and it was really, and I mean <i>really</i> wonderful.</div>
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One of the things I learned that has "gone away" (at least for me) is the art of planning in advance. Like a real plan, not "okay, I'll text you when I'm there". Grandma, the girls and I were meeting Hubby and Bookworm (they had been at violin lesson) at Wheeler Historic Farm. We went over a little early and when we got there, I realized that there would be no way for Hubby to contact us and find out where we were so that we could meet up with them. Back in the day we would have actually planned a meeting spot. Maybe some of you still do, but this illustrated to me that I put off the specifics until we can just text or call each other right at the very last moment. We ended up playing at the playground near the parking entrance until we saw them pull in. Then spent a wonderful, completely uninterrupted evening walking around the farm and seeing all the animals.</div>
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I did miss the convenience of immediately being able to look something up if I had a question, or text someone if I had a thought or observation to share, or just scroll through FB if I was feeling bored. But it also taught me that we (at least I) have developed into a people (person) who need(s) to be continually entertained or amused. Now that I have a smart phone, I am easily bored and need something to hold my attention at all times. One cannot just wait in the doctor's office, or at the bus stop, or ride along in the car without having to be entertained by something online. I even find myself reaching for my phone to check Facebook or Instagram when a commercial comes on during the TV show I am watching. This is a little sad to me.</div>
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I was proud of my family, who all participated without complaint. Tonight we had a short family discussion where we talked about what we missed about being "plugged in" this weekend, and what we enjoyed about being "unplugged" as well as anything we learned from the experience. It was apparent that the things we missed were really not that earth-shattering, and I think the consensus was that the benefits definitely outweighed the negatives. The things we enjoyed were really being "present" when we were with each other, and the conversations we had and the time we spent together without distractions interrupting us every 5 minutes. </div>
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I personally enjoyed not feeling tied to my phone, and feeling like I was truly giving my family, particularly my children, the attention they deserved. I was actually pretty sad to see our experiment come to an end, and although it is not too practical for us to be unplugged permanently in this day and age, I definitely think we will be having more unplugged days, and activities in our future.</div>
Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-64401623461949639672014-03-13T13:29:00.000-06:002014-03-13T13:29:57.924-06:00A Hellish Day with a Happy EndingSo here's how my day went yesterday:<br />
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Wake up, get kids ready for school.<br />
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Drive kids and Hubby to school (hubby is driving the 6th grade to the McCullough space center for a space simulation field work).<br />
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Get back home.<br />
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Answer email and shop correspondence while Baby Girl attempts to feed herself oatmeal (yeah, she's at the whole independent stage).<br />
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Clean up oatmeal from table, chair, floor and Baby Girl's face, belly, arms and hair.<br />
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Attempt to clean up in my bedroom while Baby Girl naps (yeah right - she napped for 14 minutes).<br />
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Get in the shower while BG plays on the bathmat, waiting her turn to get in and get cleaned. Hey it worked the last time I needed to have a shower and I was by myself with Baby Girl so don't you judge me.<br />
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Get all lathered up when I hear a huge crash followed by instant wailing from Baby Girl. I jump out of the shower, dripping wet and sudsy to see my poor baby flat on her back on the tile. She had attempted to climb up something. Not sure if it was the toilet or the drawers or what. I remember that last time we did this she hadn't started walking or climbing yet. Idiot.<br />
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I have now soaked the entire bathroom floor with my dripping hair.<br />
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Put her on the bathmat (still wailing) and plead with her to just let me hurry and rinse off so I can hold her.<br />
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Step back into the shower and don't even have the curtain pulled when I hear a THUD! And even more earnest wailing. She has tried to run to the bathroom door because she wants out of there. Immediately upon touching the wet tile her feet went right out from under her and she is flat on her back again.<br />
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Scoop her up and bring her back to the bathmat where she realizes is the only "safe" place for her to walk in the now water-logged bathroom. She stands on that mat, still as a statue, afraid to move - just sobbing while I try to finish up in the shower so I can pick her up.<br />
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Do the fastest washing job of my life and then pick her up and bring her in to have a shower. At this point she is NOT interested. So she cries and fights me the whole time I am trying to get her washed. Which of course causes me to nearly drop her. I grip her so tight as she's going down that I'm surprised boogers didn't pop out her nose!<br />
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Save her from falling, but in the process she is positioned face up RIGHT under the shower spray. So now she is sputtering and coughing and panicked and crying even harder. I'm pretty sure that was the end of our showering together days.<br />
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Manage to get dried off and dressed without further incident. She nurses and falls sound asleep. I was exhausted too after all that! I lay her on my bed while I get ready to go. You see our day hasn't even really begun.<br />
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Get my hair and make up done and everything ready, and she is still sound asleep. Look at her sweet little face and it takes everything I have not to climb into bed next to her, curl up to her warm little body and go to sleep myself. But there's not time. Reluctantly pick her up and get her loaded into her car seat, and head off to the post office.<br />
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Get to the post office, unbuckle BG and haul her in to check the p.o. box. Hoping for a large check we are expecting from one of our customers. Try not to say a bad word as I open the door to an empty box.<br />
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Lug BG back out to the car, buckle her in and head to the dry cleaner to pick up Bookworm's tux. He has a Regional Solo and Ensemble performance on the violin at 3:30.<br />
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Get to the dry cleaner, once again unbuckle BG, haul her in with me and find that they charge TAX (WTHECK?), which of course leaves me feeling stupid since I only brought in cash in my pocket to pay (because of carrying Baby Girl and all) and I was $.61 short.<br />
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Lug BG back out to the car with me while I dig through the ash tray for $.61. Go back in and dump a pile of dimes, nickles and pennies onto the counter. I am so ghetto.<br />
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Get back into the car and get ready to head to the high school to give Bookworm his tux when I realize I left his cummerbund and bow tie at home on the dresser. This time I don't resist saying the bad word.<br />
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Head back home, but forget I am 1 block further north than I think, so I turn north in stead of staying on the road that I was supposed to be on. Have to take a bassackward way to get back home. Grab the stuff and run back out to the car. At this point Baby Girl has had it again and is making her displeasure known.<br />
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Race over to the high school to give Bookworm his crap, then head back toward home where my brother is waiting with a present for BG. As soon as I pull out of the parking lot, phone rings and it's Bookworm, "you didn't bring my shoes and socks". Another bad word.<br />
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Get back home, dump BG off with my brother, search the house for church socks, and church shoes, throw them in my car. Now it's a race against time because before Bookworm performs I still have to go pick up my girls and husband from their school. We only have 1 family car. Our other vehicle is Hubby's work van and it only fits one passenger.<br />
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Debate whether to pick up girls and hubby first, or drop off shoes and socks. Confer with hubby over the phone who says go take the shoes first. Get to the high school right as school is getting out and ALL THE TEENAGERS are trying to get out of the parking lot. Get caught in a huge teenage driver traffic jam and take forever to get out of the parking lot after delivering the shoes.<br />
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Race to the other school and get Hubby and girls, race back home to drop girls off. Hubby and I race to the HS to watch Bookworm perform for the judge. Listen, clap proudly and tiredly shlep back out to the car. Get home and collapse on the couch ready to fall asleep. Only to get a phone call that reminds me I have a church engagement in 20 minutes. Sigh exhaustedly and muster up my energy to head over to the church.<br />
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In the end it was worth it because Bookworm scored a 1 and moved onto State Solo and Ensemble! But what a day!!<br />
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Here's his performance:<br />
<br /><iframe width="425" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9Q8Kz-RrNTM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>)
In other news, tomorrow we are starting an "Unplugged Weekend" family experiment. I'll let you know how that goes next week! I won't be back tomorrow, so have a wonderful weekend!<br />
<br />Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-35505924014819442422014-03-11T23:22:00.002-06:002014-03-11T23:32:26.082-06:00Slow but Steady Wins the Race??We shall see about that .<br />
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I recently decided to take the <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2014/03/join-us-4-weeks-organized-home-challenge.html" target="_blank">4 Weeks to a More Organized Home Challenge</a> from Money Saving Mom. I didn't start up when she did, so I'm not really part of the "group" who is participating and linking up and all that jazz. I intended to, but I just couldn't get started last week for various reasons.<br />
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But I did start this week and I'm a little excited. I feel like I have a WAY bigger monster to tame than what her challenge will fix. Like a lifetime of being disorganized + a husband who is equally as disorganized + 5 kids. It's an equation that equals basically a whole lot of chaos to reign in. And every time I determine that I am going to tackle that chaos, I just don't know where to start. Bringing order to one area of my life or home or family is dependent on something else being brought to order first, which itself is dependent on another aspect being in order and I just feel overwhelmed with the hugeness of the undertaking.<br />
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I read through MSM's challenge (it's a downloadable little booklet) and although I have a lot more to accomplish than what the 4 week challenge covers, I felt like it was a way for me to get started - to focus on bringing a few things slowly into order, and then hopefully build on that after the challenge is over. I thought I'd give you updates along the way! Feel free to join in if you'd like. We don't have to be on the same week to share our progress with each other, or to encourage each other!<br />
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So this week I set the following goals, which I am trying to accomplish along with the daily assignments from MSM:<br />
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1 - Blog 3 times.<br />
2 - Exercise 4 times.<br />
3 - Finish reviewing and providing feedback for a large policy document that needs finalization as part of my Charter School board member responsibilities.<br />
4 - Get 1/2 of all the backed up laundry done. Yes, this is shameful, but that is how much laundry I have to catch up on, that 1/2 finished is a lofty goal.<br />
5 - Get my <a href="http://this-istheyear.blogspot.com/2012/05/mind-organization-for-moms-review-and.html" target="_blank">Mind Organization for Moms</a> system back up and running. It was going fabulously when I was implementing it before, but then I made a mad dash trying to prepare for awesome out of town visitors and totally neglected keeping up with the system. I miss the order it brought to my daily tasks and projects.<br />
6 - Get <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/faith-in-god-for-girls/information-for-parents-and-leaders?lang=eng&query=Activity+Days" target="_blank">Activity Days</a> up and running for my new church calling.<br />
7 - Finish getting my craft room completely cleaned and organized (this is already about 1/2 done as I started working on it over the weekend).<br />
8 - Create 3 new jewelry designs for our <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetadornment13" target="_blank">family business</a>.<br />
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Now that I'm typing it all out, it sorta seems like a lot. I'll let you know if I'm able to get it all done by the end of the week!<br />
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Here's what I'm feeling good about today:<br />
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I consumed a healthy amount of calories and fat today.<br />
I did 6 loads of laundry.<br />
I completely cleaned out and scrubbed my refrigerator:<br />
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Hopefully I can keep the momentum going - we've got a busy next few days in our family!</div>
<br />Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-63994209134528430722014-03-10T21:24:00.002-06:002014-03-10T21:28:59.872-06:00How many restarts do I get?(Cough, cough), it's a little dusty in here...<br />
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I guess when you neglect the blog for like 7 months, it can grow a few cobwebs. I'm going to try again to get my blog groove on. So much has happened since I last blogged. Perhaps I can get you caught up a little bit at a time over then next little while. Hopefully. Maybe. Probably not. And by "you" I mean the imaginary people I'm pretending to write to since I'm not sure anyone remembers about this ole blog of mine. That's what happens when you disappear for<strike>ever</strike> a while.<br />
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A few highlights from the past 7 months:<br />
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We went on a family trip to California in November - actually over Thanksgiving! The kids thought that Disneyland was totally overrated. Which is what I thought the last time I went in 1990. They LOVED Sea World, and Universal Studios. We also stopped and visited all the temples along the way. I'll share pics in an upcoming post!<br />
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This girl turned 13! I can't even stand it. She is growing into such a lovely, thoughtful young woman. I'm not really sure what she's doing in this picture. Goofing off with friends, I guess. I never said she wasn't a dork!<br />
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This girl turned 7! She's not my baby anymore and sometimes that makes me a little sad. But it sure is fun to watch her imagination go, and a little amusing to see her try to act like her big sisters (you know, snotty when they don't get their way?)</div>
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This girl turned 11! She's dying to wear mascara - but she has to wait one more year! I can't believe how she's grown this past year. Quite a transformation.</div>
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And this munchkin turned ONE! No longer my little Baby Girl, she is walking around everywhere and soaking up anything and everything she observes. She has already mastered the art of twisting open nail polish! What?? She still fills our home with joy and laughter and not a little bit of frustration! She is as strong willed as any of her siblings and twice as spoiled!</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Of course there have been school musicals and concerts and recitals keeping us hopping. And the ever constant battle to get my house/life/brain in order! Stay tuned and I'll share with you the challenge I'm taking to try and get more organized over the next 4 weeks, and hopefully beyond! </span></div>
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To anyone who still ever visits this dusty old blog, thanks for reading and I'll be back soon!</div>
Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-37848559019785210992013-08-20T01:59:00.002-06:002013-08-20T01:59:34.380-06:00Are you ready?Are you ready for the end of summer? I totally am. I have thoroughly enjoyed my summer with my kiddos. It's been so fun having them all home along with their new baby sister. I've enjoyed no bedtimes, the sleeping late, the few (but more than normal) lazy days, and even the busy days. It's been nice, now that Baby Girl is older, to be able to jump in the car and leave the older kids in charge for a short time, while Hubby and I run to the grocery store for a few minutes, or to fill up with gas and grab a couple of drinks at the gas station. I've loved the flexibility of pushing something I was going to do on Wednesday over to Friday because we decided to take the kids to the park, or go shopping with grandma. BUT....my late nights and sleeping in, and putting off until tomorrow, has led to an increasingly messier house (okay, that's putting it mildly - it's a disaster!), lots of to-do's being left undone, and basically a growing feeling of chaos hovering over me at all times. It's definitely time to change it up!<br />
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My girls go back to school tomorrow and couldn't be more excited! Bookworm starts High School on Monday and although excited, I think he's a little nervous too. I'm not gonna lie - I'm a little nervous for him. I mean, I know he'll be fine, and I couldn't have asked for him to have a better experience with his first 10 years of public education. But he's been with the same group of kids pretty much since 3rd grade and is going from a school of 500 (K-9) to a High School of just under 1800, and most of his closest friends are going off to different high schools. I so want him to have a great first week and meet lots of new great friends! Okay, I'm getting all anxious again. Time to move on.<br />
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With all the kids back in school it will be just Baby Girl and me, and sometimes hubby. I'm kinda looking forward to it. She is getting so fun and even chubbier than before! And I am looking forward to getting back into a routine, and getting up early (okay not the actual getting up part), and getting a jump on my day. Getting more done, and hopefully restoring some order to our household! <br />
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Am I the only one who feels this way about back to school?<br />
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I'm ready for the season change as well. I'm looking forward to fall. The smells and sounds and colors! I love that I live in a place that has 4 distinct seasons. By the end of each season I am so ready for the next! The only one that lasts a little long for me is winter. But we've been over that before.<br />
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In other news - Baby Girl went to her very first RSL game last week! We weren't sure how she'd do, but she LOVED it! She was good the whole time and just loved being outside and watching everything going on around us. Plus we won, so that made it an even better night! It was Hubby and I's first soccer date since the season began. We went to nearly every home game last year, and we've really missed our date nights!<br />
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Here are a couple of fun pictures of my cute soccer girl. Okay, me, my cute husband and 2 of my other cute kids are in them too. But let's face it, it'as all about the chubby baby girl right now as far as pictures go!<br />
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First soccer date of the season.</div>
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Victory smiles</div>
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So, are you ready for the end of summer? Or are you hoping to stretch it out just a little bit longer?<br />
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One more thing. We're having a giveaway over at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetAdornment13" target="_blank">Sweet Adornment</a>! If you want to be entered to win a $25.00 gift certificate, just click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Adornment/580063972033213?sk=app_353857011337584&app_data" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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<br />Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-52196411203949974332013-08-13T13:18:00.004-06:002013-08-16T17:23:03.201-06:00From Drab to FAB!This is the story of how a plain, boring brown pair of thrift store boots became a fabulous pair of dazzling go-go boots!<br />
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You may recall that last year Bookworm and Cowgirl were in our school musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Cast members were responsible for much of their own costumes. For Cowgirl's part, one of the costumes needed was a go-go costume.<br />
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After scouring the store racks for any leftover Halloween costumes on clearance (because I wasn't about to pay full price and order a costume online), and having no luck, I realized that I was going to have to put together a costume myself. So it was time to hit my favorite thrift store, Deseret Industries. It took going back a couple of times (luckily it's near our house), but we finally found a shirt and skirt that fit the bill. I was hoping for brighter colors, but you take what you can get, right?<br />
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I was still having a hard time finding a pair of go-go boots. I wanted white ones. Then I got to the point that I would settle for any color that were the right style. I figured I could spray paint them white. After many "drop ins" to the DI while out and about on my errands on different days, I finally found "the pair"! They were the right size, and the right style (and only $5)! It was time to pull the outfit together!<br />
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As I was talking to one of the moms at rehearsal one day, she mentioned the word "glitter". And the heavens opened...and the angels sang.....<br />
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So after looking at some different ideas online, and determining the drawbacks as well as the benefits of each of the methods suggested, I came up with a plan.<br />
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I first took the boring, plain brown boots and coated them well with a couple of layers of metallic silver spray paint. I stuffed newspapers inside of them to keep them standing upright and filled out. I let them dry overnight.<br />
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Next I mixed together a concoction of regular (not fine) silver glitter and my favorite - Mod Podge! I just dumped a bunch of glitter in a cup, then poured in some Mod Podge and stirred it up. I kept doing it until the mixture got to a pasty consistency that would spread easily and not be too clumpy, but still had a thick concentration of glitter in it. It really would be hard to get it wrong.<br />
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I painted my first layer of glitter podge all over the boots, being careful to try and avoid the zippers so they wouldn't get glued shut. After they had time to dry for a little bit I could see the spots that were a little bare of glitter. I went over the boots another time, paying special attention to the bare spots. <br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Once they were all dry I touched up any spots that still looked like they needed some sparkling up and Ta-Da! A fabulous pair of sparkling go-go boots!</span></div>
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I decided that Cowgirl needed some go-go accessories to tie the whole outfit together. So we made a belt and some big earrings by cutting circles out of poster board and repeating the spray paingint/glitter podging process used on the boots. I LOVED how her costume turned out, and we got so many compliments on the boots and the accessories!<br />
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Yes, I totally cropped other people out of the photo! (Including her brother!)</div>
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It's like I always say, "Everything is better with glitter!" <br />
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Have you transformed anything from drab to fab lately? I'd love to hear about it!<br />
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I'm sharing this project over <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2013/08/link-party-palooza-and-sassy-steals-kitchenaid-mixer-giveaway.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> today! Check it out to find more fabulous projects!Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-73138002823199242132013-08-12T10:31:00.002-06:002013-08-12T10:31:28.642-06:00Friend Making Monday - have you ever?Today I'm linking up with <a href="http://alltheweigh.com/2013/08/friend-makin-mondays-have-you-ever-2/" target="_blank">Kenlie for FMM</a> - it's how I first started making friends in the blog world, years ago. Those friendships are still in place today, and some of them are with friends who don't even blog anymore! So it's definitely a great link party to be involved with! <br />
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So here I go...Have you ever...<br />
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1. <b>Jumped out of an airplane?</b> Nope.<br />
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2. <b>Lived alone?</b> Nope. I got married at 19. I went from living with my parents to living with hubby. <br />
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3. <b>Met a celebrity?</b> Yes I have. When I was 17, my High School's Senior Dinner Dance was held at the Marriot Hotel. It was durning the NBA playoffs and the Houston Rockets were playing the Jazz, and they were staying at the Marriot. My girlfriends and I saw a golden opportunity and we jumped into an elevator with Hakeem "the dream" Olajuwon! He was actually very nice and down to earth. Friendly, and interested (at least he acted that way) in our school, and our basketball team and was just very nice (not in a creepy old man hitting on teenage girls way).<br />
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Of course I have met many members of Real Salt Lake. Not celebrities to some people, but our goalie Nick Rimando, and our team captain Kyle Beckerman (I have met both) played on the U.S. Men's National Team that just won the Gold Cup a couple of weeks ago.<br />
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4. <b>Said something to someone that you immediately regret saying?</b> All. the. time.<br />
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5. <b>Had a manicure/pedicure?</b> Yes, but it's actually not my favorite thing.<br />
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6. <b>Gotten a hickey?</b> Um, what?<br />
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7. <b>Owned a pet that was not a dog or cat?</b> Yes. <br />
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8. <b>Been outside of your home country? </b> Well, when my family went to Disneyland, we also visited Tijuana. I'm not very well-traveled. :/<br />
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9.<b> Kissed your best friend?</b> Every day.<br />
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10. <b>Eaten food that fell on the floor?</b> I'm a mom. What do you think?<br />
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11. <b>Met someone online?</b> Yep. All my blogging friends!<br />
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12. <b>Been on TV?</b> Nope. But my kids have.<br />
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13. <b>Had braces?</b> Yep.<br />
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14. <b>Gone skinny dipping?</b> Nope.<br />
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15. <b>Been to the Opera?</b> Yep.<br />
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16. <b>Been caught making out by a policeman?</b> Not that I can recall.<br />
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17. <b>Sung in public?</b> No way.<br />
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18. <b>Handed out candy on halloween?</b> Of course.<br />
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19. <b>Been snowed in?</b> Surprisingly, no.<br />
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20. <b>Fallen in front of other people?</b> Who hasn't?<br />
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21. <b>Cheated on a test?</b> Never. I hate cheaters.<br />
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22. <b>Regretted saying "I love you" to someone? </b> I guess I probably said it to a loser or two, so yes.<br />
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23.<b> Finished a meal in a restaurant and realized you didn't have your wallet?</b> No. I almost never pay - that's the Hubby's job!<br />
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24. <b>Shot a gun?</b> Yes. It was for a simulation I got to participate in that was through the FBI and taught by a SWAT sniper. It was super cool!<br />
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25. <b>Heard a song that was written for (or about) you?</b> Um, in my imagination...<br />
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So there you go. Want to play along? I'd love to read your answers! Go <a href="http://alltheweigh.com/2013/08/friend-makin-mondays-have-you-ever-2/" target="_blank">link up</a> if you want to play!<br />
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Tomorrow I'm going to show you how I turned a pair of plain brown thrift store boots into some FABULOUS glittery go-go boots for my daughter's role as a go-go dancer in the school musical! You won't want to miss it!Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951719783144607847.post-7379213720448068362013-08-09T00:00:00.000-06:002013-08-09T00:15:46.790-06:00Friday FabulousI'm getting back in the swing of things. I think. I've actually got some blog posts planned out, which I haven't done in ages - so I'm thinking the posts will be coming more frequently again!<br />
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Last time, I told you about our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetAdornment13" target="_blank">new family business</a>. We're having so much fun with it. Some of my long time readers will know that this isn't my first go around with Etsy. I had <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ribbonblossoms" target="_blank">another shop</a> once. Okay, I still do. But I haven't kept up with it since last Halloween. Halloween was really the only time the shop ever got very busy. It's picking up already with some new Halloween orders for this season, so I expect to have some good sales for the next couple of months. But back to the purpose of my tangent. I never really invested a lot into the Etsy community my first time around. I made my items, put a lot of time into photographing and listing them, and then waited for sales. That only came during Halloween. Whatever.</div>
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Since opening our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetAdornment13" target="_blank">new shop</a>, I've spent a lot of time visiting other shops. I spend time reading the forums and community boards. I study the photography and wording in the listings of my favorite shops to get hints on how to make my shop better. It's a lot. But I'm loving it. Will it help our sales? Maybe. Probably not. But as long as I pretend that what I'm doing is helping me make our shop better, I can spend all that time browsing fabulous shops without feeling guilty, right? Right. That's what I thought.</div>
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So today, Friday, I'm sharing the Fabulous! I thought I'd share some of my favorite finds on Etsy. I want them all. Someday....someday. So are you ready for some Fabulous?</div>
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First up - <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79307393/crocheted-ballet-baby-booties-in-white?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Chrocheted baby ballet booties </a>from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleLillyBug" target="_blank">Little Lilly Bug</a>! I. die. I have been coveting these darlings since we first found out our little caboose was another girl. I told my brother to get them for me. He let me down. Are they not the sweetest things you've ever seen??</div>
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Visit shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleLillyBug" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Okay, how beautiful is this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/89823322/mid-summers-eve-bouquet-flower-bib?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">wire wrapped flower necklace</a> from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RefreshingDesigns" target="_blank">Refreshing Designs Jewelry</a>? I'm not sure I could pull it off - but I like to pretend I am that fantastic. And the designs, all from wrapping wire, seriously amaze me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpWm9S8VBYDEi7zYnLygReeZjkMjOjMnrFbKLQDC_oUjx1bqhxD46XgeSE-8CeG0a24xT5q-wm6TmJKYIGxzG1uCrODK_n-XHovr0Q2e4TQ83dARPubm4Y-HWX4lDDrhxJ758r8eYbsQ/s1600/wirejewelry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpWm9S8VBYDEi7zYnLygReeZjkMjOjMnrFbKLQDC_oUjx1bqhxD46XgeSE-8CeG0a24xT5q-wm6TmJKYIGxzG1uCrODK_n-XHovr0Q2e4TQ83dARPubm4Y-HWX4lDDrhxJ758r8eYbsQ/s400/wirejewelry.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Visit shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RefreshingDesigns" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I'm loving this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/153507403/lime-green-cricut-frog-with-glitter-and?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">handmade froggy card</a> from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeByMeg1" target="_blank">Made by Meg</a>. Partly because this is currently my new favorite color scheme, and the colors of Baby Girl's nursery. But mostly because I have done handmade cards and they take forEVER! So my hat is off to anyone who is dedicated enough, or fast enough to make enough to sell in a shop! And this one is super, super adorable!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq_19tZlu8kH12460aowSEY-SWQ9Ji_AYJuHMQ4FL8Trs6guZcSB-axenMkhIgEoz-bMubsJlyOPuDaHpkK52956KnBQrFbxK9hYicUh-gnx_Pm01E388UfakRx6VdRpyQuvV-aQLUQI/s1600/etsycard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq_19tZlu8kH12460aowSEY-SWQ9Ji_AYJuHMQ4FL8Trs6guZcSB-axenMkhIgEoz-bMubsJlyOPuDaHpkK52956KnBQrFbxK9hYicUh-gnx_Pm01E388UfakRx6VdRpyQuvV-aQLUQI/s400/etsycard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Visit shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeByMeg1" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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And last, but oh so absolutely not least - even if she weren't my <a href="http://thepolka-dotdaisy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">BFF</a>, I would so adore these <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/156958296/girlie-monster-bib-in-brown-and-pink?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=monster%2Bbibs" target="_blank">Monster Bibs</a> made by Tanielle (yes I've totally already snagged a couple for Baby Girl). She and her niece own <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThELaUgHyGiRaFfY" target="_blank">The Laughy Giraffy</a> and make some of THE most adorable things you've ever seen. I'm lucky to have an "in" with them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKUGFcGEKPhwT95KjHcmRUJV54qDw_147yjssTP7pbmI9vv_YvCplonPWOwdeaCLnAfNrsJoOYc1vZEoTst1cMqyrtESNku5Ux-M1YsqZWVwIRfwq-dL7re8Kv2N_JU0bi1bdqt8Ut7A/s1600/monsterbibs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKUGFcGEKPhwT95KjHcmRUJV54qDw_147yjssTP7pbmI9vv_YvCplonPWOwdeaCLnAfNrsJoOYc1vZEoTst1cMqyrtESNku5Ux-M1YsqZWVwIRfwq-dL7re8Kv2N_JU0bi1bdqt8Ut7A/s400/monsterbibs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Visit shop<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThELaUgHyGiRaFfY" target="_blank"> here</a><a href="http://here./">.</a></div>
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So there you go. Sharing some Fabulous with you this Friday. How about you? What are some of your fabulous Etsy finds? I'm sure that I need to check them out!<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend everyone!</div>
Xazminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749135318391747903noreply@blogger.com4